liberalize

verb

lib·​er·​al·​ize ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌlīz How to pronounce liberalize (audio)
liberalized; liberalizing

transitive verb

: to make liberal or more liberal

intransitive verb

: to become liberal or more liberal
liberalization noun
liberalizer noun

Examples of liberalize in a Sentence

The country's immigration policies have begun to liberalize.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The United States in recent decades has produced less copper as the global economy liberalized, enabling the country to import relatively cheap copper from countries like Chile and allowing the US economy to expand to other industries. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 17 July 2025 The regime could also mix and match, liberalizing in some respects while growing more restrictive in others. Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2025 The country, which liberalized its economy in the late 1980s, has been pushing toward higher-tech manufacturing and income levels closer to those of richer nations in Asia. Damien Cave, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 America’s use of its might in hopes of liberalizing the globe during the unipolar era has hardly left either itself or other countries better off, whether the theater is Asia, Eastern Europe, or the Middle East. Samuel Moyn, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for liberalize

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of liberalize was in 1765

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Cite this Entry

“Liberalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberalize. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

liberalize

verb
lib·​er·​al·​ize ˈlib(-ə)-rə-ˌlīz How to pronounce liberalize (audio)
liberalized; liberalizing
: to make or become liberal or more liberal
liberalization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on liberalize

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