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

Despite liberalizing swaths of the economy and bringing down sky-high inflation rates, investment remains paltry in Argentina. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026

The House legislative package, however, excludes some of the most ambitious reforms in the Senate version, such as a pilot program to incentivize localities to liberalize land-use rules using Community Development Block Grant funding. —Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026

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

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