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Liberalize: meaning, definitions and examples

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liberalize

 

[ ˈlΙͺbΙ™raΙͺˌzaΙͺz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

political context

To liberalize means to make laws, rules, or policies less strict or more democratic. This usually involves reducing restrictions or regulations in various fields such as trade, economics, or social issues.

Synonyms

democratize, ease, free, open up

Examples of usage

  • The government decided to liberalize the economy to encourage foreign investment.
  • In recent years, many countries have chosen to liberalize their trade policies.
  • The aim of the reforms was to liberalize the telecom sector.
  • Efforts to liberalize immigration laws have sparked national debate.

Etymology

The word 'liberalize' emerged in the mid-20th century and derives from the root 'liberal,' which comes from the Latin 'liberalis' meaning 'of freedom' or 'generous.' The prefix 'liber-' conveys the idea of being free, while the suffix '-ize' is a verb-forming element that indicates to make or to become. As political and economic theories evolved, especially after World War II, the term came to be associated with the ideas of increasing individual freedoms, rights, and the reduction of government intervention in various sectors. The concept of liberalization gained significant traction during the late 20th century, particularly with the rise of neoliberal policies that favored deregulation and free-market mechanisms. This led to widespread discussions on how to liberalize markets globally and the impact of such actions on international relations and economies.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,806, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.