libertarian
noun
lib·er·tar·i·an
ˌli-bər-ˈter-ē-ən 
-ˈte-rē-
plural libertarians
1
: an adherent or advocate of libertarianism
Libertarians take individual freedom as the paramount political value and understand coercion to be the antithesis of that freedom. While people can justifiably be forced to do certain things—most obviously, to refrain from infringing the liberty of others—they cannot be coerced to serve the good of other members of society, nor even their own personal good.—
Bas van der Vossen and Billy Christmas
Bas van der Vossen and Billy Christmas… the one big thing the libertarians knew and could explain better than anyone else—that the invisible hand of the market is a more reliable organizer of the economic life of nations than the visible hand of the state …—Richard Cornuelle
Richard Cornuelle2
Libertarian plural Libertarians
: a member or supporter of a political party supporting or promoting libertarianism
a registered Libertarian
libertarian
adjective
or less commonly Libertarian
… the libertarian ideology and rhetoric associated with "school choice," opposition to gun control, and the right of business to be free from government regulation.
—Alan Wolfe
Alan Wolfe
the Libertarian party
Examples of libertarian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lachlan, who has described himself as a libertarian, shares many of his father’s views.
—Hannah Miller, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2024
In Montana, Dennis Hayes was recruited to run as a Libertarian against GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke.
—Ryan J. Foley and Brian Slodysko, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2024
No country has unfettered free markets that meet the ideals of strict libertarians.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Sep. 2024
Civil libertarians have also opposed the plan, both on philosophical and practical grounds.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for libertarian 
Hannah Miller, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2024
In Montana, Dennis Hayes was recruited to run as a Libertarian against GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke.
—Ryan J. Foley and Brian Slodysko, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2024
No country has unfettered free markets that meet the ideals of strict libertarians.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Sep. 2024
Civil libertarians have also opposed the plan, both on philosophical and practical grounds.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for libertarian
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'libertarian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near libertarian
Cite this Entry
“Libertarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/libertarian. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
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libertarian
noun
lib·er·tar·i·an
ˌlib-ər-ˈter-ē-ən
: a person who believes in liberty of thought and action
libertarian
adjective
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