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Glite Dictionary
liberalization

liberalization

14 6.7
Making rules less strict to allow more trade and travel
  • noun
  • /ˌlɪbərəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
translation icon : liberalización
  • At best, the Doha Round will achieve only marginal liberalization of world trade after almost a decade of effort.
  • economic liberalization
  • political liberalization
  • trade liberalization

So within Saudi Arabia he is leading a push towards greater social liberalisation.

Examples

  • A wave of economic and political liberalization is sweeping the world.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Is it a mistake to push financial liberalization in emerging markets so fast?

    Academic text (1999)

  • Alongside its security policies, the administration embraced free markets, trade liberalization, and economic development.

    Academic text (2011)

  • An accurate understanding of the current liberalization can only be obtained through an investigation of this domestic aspect.

    Academic text (1991)

  • We will also evaluate the developments of the two sides and promote liberalization to carry out various exchange programs.

    Academic text (1999)

  • We have therefore decided to resume the export-control liberalization process for China.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The labor unions will continue to fight any liberalization for blue-collar workers.

    Academic text (1990)

  • We know from history that trade policy tends to backslide toward protectionism unless liberalization continues moving forward.

    Academic text (1999)

  • China's Cultural Revolution ironically coincided with the first major steps toward the liberalization of America's China policy.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The country's recent economic liberalization has led to increased foreign investment and job creation.

Synonyms

deregulation
vsliberalization
55 6.0

The removal of government rules that control an industry or business to allow more competition

means loosening rules rather than fully removing them
relaxation
vsliberalization
6 3.2

Making a rule or limit less strict so people can do more

applies mainly to laws and policies rather than general weakening

Antonyms

restriction
340 3.0

A rule or action that limits what you can do

regulation
167 3.8

The process of controlling something by laws or rules

How Strict

restriction
340 3.0
regulation
167 3.8
easing
2 4.0
liberalization
14 6.7
deregulation
55 6.0

Surface Forms

liberalization singular
liberalizations plural

Morphology

liberalization = liberalize (transparent) = liberal + ize + ation

Formed by adding the productive nominalizing suffix '-ation' to the verb 'liberalize', yielding the process or result of making something more liberal.

Etymology

Liberalization comes from the root liber, which means 'free' and is the same root as liberty and liberate; a helpful image is 'making things more free'. So, liberalization is the process of making laws or rules more 'free' or less strict.