liberalize

verb

lib·​er·​al·​ize ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

liberalized; liberalizing

transitive verb

: to make liberal or more liberal

intransitive verb

: to become liberal or more liberal

liberalization

ˌli-b(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

liberalizer

ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Examples of liberalize in a Sentence

The country's immigration policies have begun to liberalize.

Recent Examples on the Web

In his place, acting President Delcy Rodríguez has been cautiously liberalizing the economy and courting foreign oil companies, while currying favor with Washington pragmatically and seeking relief from crushing sanctions. — John Liu, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio sanctioned five Cuban companies, despite Havana’s attempts to liberalize. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2026

Dubai’s residential property prices surged by roughly 60% between 2022 and early 2025–a historic boom fueled by tax-free incentives, liberalized visa policies, and a heavy influx of high-net-worth individuals. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 1 June 2026

Vadim begins by recounting his youth as the privileged son of a Soviet-era official who was cast aside under the liberalizing Gorbachev regime; the reversal of fortune roused the young Vadim to make the most of his life. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

liberal entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for liberalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

liberalize

verb

lib·​er·​al·​ize ˈlib(-ə)-rə-ˌlīz 

liberalized; liberalizing

: to make or become liberal or more liberal

liberalization

ˌlib(-ə)-rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun