liberalization

American  

[lib-er-uh-lahy-zey-shuhn, lib-ruh-] / ˌlɪb ər əˌlaɪˈzeɪ ʃən, ˌlɪb rə- /

especially British, liberalisation

noun

1. the state of being or becoming more favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

   The liberalization of Anglican thought predates the rise of Protestant fundamentalism.

2. the act or process of making something, such as laws or regulations, less restrictive, or the state of being or becoming less restrictive.

   The president has proposed liberalization of the criminal code to allow for a reduction in maximum sentences and the introduction of monetary fines for less severe offenses.

   The government is updating existing contracts with some foreign companies to favor liberalization and free market competition.

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Other Word Forms

• overliberalization noun

Etymology

Origin of liberalization

liberaliz(e) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

Last week, US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who is in charge of mineral resources in the United States, visited Venezuela to push for a liberalization of the country's mining laws.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

A period of liberalization in the 1990s opened the door for American companies to expand their Venezuela operations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

One classic argument for agricultural trade liberalization is to let countries exploit their comparative advantages and grow what they grow best.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 26, 2024

So the matter stood until the 1990s, when South Korea’s pivot towards economic liberalization opened domestic markets to a flood of mayo and other foreign products.

From Salon • May 18, 2024

The liberalization of Macao's gambling monopoly may   contribute to GDP growth, as the three companies awarded gambling   licenses have pledged to invest $2.2 billion - roughly 33% of GDP -   in the territory.

From The 2003 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency