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Glite Dictionary
to decontrol

to decontrol

7.6
To remove official rules or limits set by a government
  • verb
  • /ˌdiːkənˈtroʊl/
  • Formal
translation icon : desregular
  • There is an ongoing debate over whether to decontrol the energy markets.

Examples

  • After years of strict oversight, the government decided to decontrol the import of foreign goods.

  • Some policy makers argue that it is time to decontrol certain agricultural prices.

  • The government plans to decontrol the energy market.

  • Why did they decontrol the price of gas?

  • The government plans to decontrol energy prices to encourage competition in the market.

  • Many countries are looking to decontrol certain regulations to promote economic growth.

  • After the recent reforms, officials decided to decontrol various industries to stimulate investment.

Synonyms

to liberate
vsto decontrol
104 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

applies to freeing from oppression or imprisonment rather than official regulatory change
to loosen
vsto decontrol
83 3.3

Make rules or limits less strict

means easing rules but often in a milder or less formal way
to deregulate
vsto decontrol
25 5.8

To remove rules that the government makes for an industry or market

focuses on removing or relaxing controls generally not only industry regulations
to derestrict
vsto decontrol
8.6

To remove limits from something so people can use it freely

emphasizes removing limits broadly rather than specifically easing official controls

Antonyms

to restrict
361 3.1

Limit how much people can use or access something

to regulate
258 3.4

To control something using rules or laws

How Controlled

to control
∞ 2.4
to regulate
258 3.4
to liberalize
12 6.3
to deregulate
25 5.8
to decontrol
  • Formal
7.6

Surface Forms

decontrol infinitive
decontrolled past
decontrolled past participle
decontrolling present participle
decontrols third person singular

Morphology

decontrol = control (transparent) = de + control

The prefix 'de-' clearly means removing, so 'decontrol' is straightforwardly understood as removing controls or regulations.

Etymology

Decontrol is made of de- meaning 'remove' and control meaning 'to direct or limit'. So to decontrol something is to take away official limits or rules, especially by the government.