libertarian
a follower of a political philosophy or party that advocates individual liberty achieved by limiting the power of a central government: Whether left- or right-leaning, libertarians generally oppose taxation and support free trade.
a person who advocates liberty, especially with regard to thought or conduct.
a person who maintains the doctrine of free will (distinguished from necessitarian).
Origin of libertarian
1Other words from libertarian
- lib·er·tar·i·an·ism, noun
- an·ti·lib·er·tar·i·an, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use libertarian in a sentence
The former Czech leader, once a global darling of libertarians, is losing friends fast.
Vaclav Klaus, Libertarian Hero, Has His Wings Clipped by Cato Institute | James Kirchick | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe libertarians know Goldwater got demolished in 1964, right?
And he did it with arguments that many civil libertarians found disingenuous, at best.
Rand Paul Beats Ted Cruz, Saves NSA From ‘Reform’ | Tim Mak, Olivia Nuzzi | November 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEstablishment figures, Tea Partiers, evangelicals, and libertarians will all be rubbing elbows at a single theater.
For civil libertarians, this should not be an encouraging answer.
Many prominent libertarians contributed essays of a philosophical or hortatory nature.
Emma Goldman | Charles A. MadisonBy one vote the libertarians were defeated, and the dalliance of the hospital staff in leisure hours received a severe check.
The Pretty Lady | Arnold E. BennettThe Libertarians assert that our wills are free—we having power of choice in all our actions.
The Problems of Psychical Research | Hereward CarringtonAnd this is a most important distinction, which libertarians have hitherto failed to notice.
Mind and Motion and Monism | George John RomanesSuffice it in general to say that the honey the libertarians hived was appropriated in the end by the party of authority.
German philosophy and politics | John Dewey
British Dictionary definitions for libertarian
/ (ˌlɪbəˈtɛərɪən) /
a believer in freedom of thought, expression, etc
philosophy a believer in the doctrine of free will: Compare determinism
of, relating to, or characteristic of a libertarian
Origin of libertarian
1Derived forms of libertarian
- libertarianism, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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