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Synonyms

decentralize

American  
[dee-sen-truh-lahyz] / diˈsɛn trəˌlaɪz /
especially British, decentralise

verb (used with object)

decentralized, decentralizing
  1. to distribute the administrative powers or functions of (a central authority) over a less concentrated area.

    to decentralize the national government.

  2. to disperse (something) from an area of concentration.

    to decentralize the nation's industry.


verb (used without object)

decentralized, decentralizing
  1. to undergo decentralization.

    The city government is looking for ways to decentralize.

decentralize British  
/ diːˈsɛntrəˌlaɪz /

verb

  1. to reorganize (a government, industry, etc) into smaller more autonomous units

  2. to disperse (a concentration, as of industry or population)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • decentralist noun
  • decentralization noun

Etymology

Origin of decentralize

First recorded in 1850–55; de- + centralize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That makes it unlikely that customers will move away from using its mainframes toward decentralized platforms—a potential shift known as mainframe disintermediation—over the next several years.

From Barron's

It has supplied the U.S. market through an often decentralized network, primarily through California and Arizona, according to federal officials.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s also from the shift in the bitcoin market away from the decentralized hedge it once was.

From MarketWatch

After all, it’s not always wise to invest in a largely untested, decentralized asset without nerves of steel.

From MarketWatch

Instead, an asset that once sold itself as a decentralized alternative to the traditional financial system — or “tradfi” — has been incorporated into that very same system.

From MarketWatch