decapitalize

American  

[dee-kap-i-tl-ahyz] / diˈkæp ɪ tlˌaɪz /

especially British, decapitalise

verb (used with object)

decapitalized, decapitalizing

1. to deprive of capital; discourage capital formation; withdraw capital from.

   The government decapitalized industry with harsh tax policies.

---

Other Word Forms

• decapitalization noun

Etymology

Origin of decapitalize

First recorded in 1870–75; de- + capitalize

Example Sentences

Feels like it was designed for — but not by — young people Smart touts its motto as “reduce to the max,” which, I trust, is also why the company opts to decapitalize the names of its products.

From The Verge

One called the move "pointless and counter-productive," saying it was grammatically wrong to it to decapitalize a proper noun, while another said the internet deserved the honorific big I as a wonder of the world.

From The Verge

Third, a prolonged period of very low interest rates will decapitalize defined-benefit pension funds—both private and public—throughout the country.

From The Wall Street Journal