liberalize
verb
lib·er·al·ize ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 
liberalized; liberalizing
transitive verb
: to make liberal or more liberal
intransitive verb
: to become liberal or more liberal
liberalization
ˌli-b(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən
noun liberalizer
ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌlī-zər
noun 
Example Sentences
The country's immigration policies have begun to liberalize.
Recent Examples on the Web For better or worse, Russia’s attacks in Ukraine are giving lift to efforts to change and liberalize those laws. 
Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 3 July 2022 The Government of Kazakhstan needs to prove that the country is a reliable investment partner to attract investors and liberalize the economy. Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 6 June 2022 The reshaping of global commerce comes as efforts to further liberalize trade have stalled. Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022 This is the engagement policy we were told would eventually liberalize Russia—and China—by tying it to the free world. Garry Kasparov, WSJ, 16 May 2022 When Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, came into power in 2018, his administration’s move to liberalize sectors which had remained closed for over a century, was initially met with optimism. Hawi Dadhi, Quartz, 8 June 2022 What’s the total big number and who are the leaders in getting cash from the lobby that has persuaded lawmakers to liberalize the gun laws. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 1 June 2022 When China won hosting duty for the 2008 Games, some proponents hoped the international attention would spur Beijing to liberalize its political system, similar to measures enacted in South Korea after Seoul hosted in 1988. James T. Areddy, WSJ, 4 Feb. 2022 Republican legislative majorities in both states likely will oppose moves to liberalize those laws. Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2022 See More
Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 3 July 2022 The Government of Kazakhstan needs to prove that the country is a reliable investment partner to attract investors and liberalize the economy. Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 6 June 2022 The reshaping of global commerce comes as efforts to further liberalize trade have stalled. Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022 This is the engagement policy we were told would eventually liberalize Russia—and China—by tying it to the free world. Garry Kasparov, WSJ, 16 May 2022 When Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, came into power in 2018, his administration’s move to liberalize sectors which had remained closed for over a century, was initially met with optimism. Hawi Dadhi, Quartz, 8 June 2022 What’s the total big number and who are the leaders in getting cash from the lobby that has persuaded lawmakers to liberalize the gun laws. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 1 June 2022 When China won hosting duty for the 2008 Games, some proponents hoped the international attention would spur Beijing to liberalize its political system, similar to measures enacted in South Korea after Seoul hosted in 1988. James T. Areddy, WSJ, 4 Feb. 2022 Republican legislative majorities in both states likely will oppose moves to liberalize those laws. Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1765, in the meaning defined at transitive sense