liberalize

especially British, lib·er·al·ise

[lib-er-uh-lahyz, lib-ruh-]

verb (used with or without object)

liberalized, liberalizing 

1. to make or become liberal.

liberalize

/ ˈlɪbərəˌlaɪz, ˈlɪbrə- /

verb

1. to make or become liberal

Other Word Forms

• liberalizer noun
• liberalization noun
• overliberalize verb
• unliberalized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberalize¹

First recorded in 1765–75; liberal + -ize

Example Sentences

In the Cold War, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and doubled down on global revolution even while benefiting from the detente era’s liberalized trade.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Denmark recently liberalized its abortion law, raising the right to obtain abortion upon request to up to 18 weeks of pregnancy from 12 weeks, beginning June 1.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The liberalizing of India’s economy in the 1990s laid the foundation for the remarkable growth since, with millions escaping poverty and spawning a middle class.

Read more on Seattle Times

Attitudes on race, immigration, and gender have liberalized dramatically in recent decades, including among working-class whites.

Read more on Salon

Leaders decided to stand athwart a liberalizing Orange County instead of adapt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times