nationalize
gb/nˈæʃənəlˌaɪz/ us/nˈæʃənəlˌaɪz/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
C1
action
1
put under state ownership
If a government nationalizes something, it takes control or ownership of it from private owners.
Usage pattern:
nationalize [an industry/company/service/asset]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse nationalize with naturalize, which means to make someone a legal citizen.
Synonyms
take over (Less precise; can be done by any organization, not only a government.)
|
expropriate (Emphasizes taking property, often by legal authority and sometimes without full compensation.)
|
socialize (More ideological and broader; suggests collective or state control.)
Antonyms
privatize (Transfer from government ownership or control to private ownership.)
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denationalize (Return something from national government ownership or control, especially to private owners.)
Collocations
nationalize an industry
|nationalize a company
|nationalize the banks
|nationalize the railways
|nationalize oil production
|nationalize public utilities
|fully nationalize
|partly nationalize
|threaten to nationalize
|vote to nationalize
Themes
government
|economics
|business
|public_policy
Examples
- The new government promised not to nationalize the banks.
- Several oil companies were nationalized after the revolution.
- Critics argued that nationalizing the rail network would be expensive but would improve coordination.
Learner examples
- The state decided to nationalize the railway.
- The government may nationalize the company.
Verb
C1
action
2
make national in scope
To make something affect, involve, or be discussed by the whole country instead of only one area.
Usage pattern:
nationalize [an issue/campaign/system/debate]
Common mistake:
This sense is about national scale or attention, not necessarily government ownership.
Synonyms
centralize (Emphasizes moving control to a central authority; not always specifically national.)
|
federalize (Means put under federal authority, especially in countries with federal systems.)
|
standardize (Emphasizes making rules or practices uniform, not necessarily national.)
Antonyms
localize (Make something local in focus, control, or character.)
|
regionalize (Organize or adapt something by region rather than nationally.)
Collocations
nationalize the debate
|nationalize an election
|nationalize a campaign
|nationalize an issue
|nationalize the conversation
|nationalize standards
|nationalize the curriculum
|nationalize local politics
Themes
government
|politics
|media
|organizations
Examples
- The party tried to nationalize the election by focusing on inflation and immigration.
- A single televised hearing helped nationalize what had begun as a local controversy.
- The education minister proposed nationalizing testing standards across the country.
Learner examples
- The crisis nationalized the debate.
- They wanted to nationalize school standards.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nationalize
IPA
GB/nˈæʃənəlˌaɪz/
US/nˈæʃənəlˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
na - tion - al - ize (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (na)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: nationalize
- 3rd Person Singular: nationalizes
- Present Participle: nationalizing
- Past: nationalized
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.