deindustrialize

or de-in·dus·tri·al·ize

[ dee-in-duhs-tree-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·in·dus·tri·al·ized, de·in·dus·tri·al·iz·ing.

1. to cause to lose industrial capability or strength; make less industrial in character or emphasis.
2. to deprive (a conquered nation) of the means or potential for industrial growth.

verb (used without object)

, de·in·dus·tri·al·ized, de·in·dus·tri·al·iz·ing.

1. to lose industrial capability or character; become deindustrialized.

deindustrialize

/ ˌdiːɪnˈdʌstrɪəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to reduce the importance of manufacturing industry in the economy of (a nation or area)
2. intr (of a nation or area) to undergo reduction in the importance of manufacturing industry in the economy

Other Words From

• dein·dustri·al·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deindustrialize¹

First recorded in 1880–85; de- + industrialize

Example Sentences

Are they going to willingly deindustrialize to fit a U.S. policy of global domination?

From Salon

“This is not a plan to decarbonize the Australian economy but rather a plan to deindustrialize it,” O’Brien said.

From Seattle Times

European and Asian media routinely mention the United States and China in the same breath, with both framed as selfish superpowers whose policies threaten to hollow out or “deindustrialize” other nations.

From Washington Post

I watched the shoreline deindustrialize from waterfront developments to pristine forests.

From Washington Post

Of course, biology turned out to be far more complicated than most had appreciated, and discovery remains something that we’ve now recognized isn’t ideally performed in an industrialized fashion – indeed, most big pharmas are now trying, in many ways, to “deindustrialize” their discovery process, and break it down into smaller and more individualized teams, with less central control and direction.

From Forbes