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

An all-of-the-above approach to bringing supply is key, which means liberalizing our housing markets and better prioritizing public funding to deliver cost-effective solutions. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026

Her first executive orders were less controversial than Spanberger’s, who shocked Republicans by vastly liberalizing criminal punishments — one of the Democrats’ least popular areas. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 20 Jan. 2026

Over the years, this bonus has been liberalized. —Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 18 Jan. 2026

Had the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev never come to power or never attempted to liberalize, the CCP might have embarked on its own suicidal political liberalization. —Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

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