denationalize

verb

de·​na·​tion·​al·​ize (ˈ)dē-ˈnash-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce denationalize (audio)
-ˈna-shə-nə-ˌlīz
denationalized; denationalizing; denationalizes

transitive verb

1
: to divest of national character or rights
2
: to remove from ownership or control by the national government
denationalization
(ˌ)dē-ˌnash-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce denationalize (audio)
-ˌna-shə-nə-lə-ˈzā-
noun

Examples of denationalize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Prime minister Margaret Thatcher denationalized major industries, but would never touch the NHS. Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 14 Apr. 2020 No succeeding British government, Labour or Conservative, has tried to renationalize what Margaret Thatcher denationalized. Lee Edwards, National Review, 14 Oct. 2019 So why have national Dems denationalized this year’s midterms? Ted Rall, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2018 Gillespie is laboring to denationalize the campaign by focusing almost exclusively on Virginia issues, especially jobs and the economy. James Hohmann, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'denationalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of denationalize was in 1807

Dictionary Entries Near denationalize

Cite this Entry

“Denationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denationalize. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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