Meaning & use
neo-liberal
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Supporting a set of policies that favor free markets, private business, and less government control of the economy.
Grammar: Usually comes before a noun, as in 'neo-liberal policies'. Can also be used after a linking verb: 'The reforms are neo-liberal.'
Patterns
- neo-liberal policies
- neo-liberal reforms
- neo-liberal economics
The government introduced neo-liberal reforms to reduce public spending.
Many economists argue that neo-liberal policies have widened the gap between rich and poor.
Her book criticizes the neo-liberal approach to healthcare.
nouncountable
A person who supports free-market policies and reduced government involvement in the economy.
Grammar: Countable: one neo-liberal, two neo-liberals. Often used in political discussions.
Patterns
- a neo-liberal
- neo-liberals argue
- support from neo-liberals
She is a neo-liberal who believes that competition improves public services.
Neo-liberals often call for lower taxes and less regulation.
The party has moved to the right, attracting many neo-liberals.
Word forms
| plural | neo-liberals |
|---|
Common combinations
- neo-liberal policies
- The neo-liberal policies of the 1980s changed the country's economy.
- neo-liberal agenda
- Critics say the neo-liberal agenda puts profits before people.
- neo-liberal economics
- He teaches a course on neo-liberal economics.
- neo-liberal reforms
- The protests were against neo-liberal reforms in education.
- neo-liberal ideology
- The party's neo-liberal ideology appeals to business owners.
Synonyms and how they differ
- free-market
- Focuses on the market mechanism itself; neo-liberal is broader and often implies a political program with less government.
- laissez-faire
- Describes minimal government intervention; neo-liberal is a modern term that also includes privatization and deregulation.
- market-oriented
- A neutral description; neo-liberal often carries a critical or political tone.
Opposites
Word family
- neoliberalism noun
- The political and economic theory behind neo-liberal policies.
- neoliberalize verb
- To make something follow neo-liberal principles, such as an industry.
Commonly confused: neo-liberal or liberal?
neo-liberal vs liberal
In politics, 'liberal' often means open to change and government action, while 'neo-liberal' means favoring free markets and less government.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'neo-liberal' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Neo-liberal policies favor free markets and less government intervention, so reducing the state's role fits. Option 1 contradicts the meaning (more government ownership is not neo-liberal). Option 2 also contradicts because neo-liberals typically want lower taxes. Option 3 uses the word incorrectly to mean 'indifferent' or 'unconcerned', which is not the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “neo-liberal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.