decolonize /diːˈkɒlənaɪz/ verb2 •To release from the status of colony; to allow a colony to become independent.A paternal government would attempt to decolonize American literature, by forbidding the re-publication of foreign works, and offering premiums to those of home production. — 1860 •To reverse the colonization of, i.e. to grant back autonomy to a group. formsdecolonized · decolonizing · decolonizes