deindustrialize
/ˌdiːɪnˈdʌstriəlaɪz/
verb
- To reduce or remove the industrial capacity or manufacturing activity of a country, region, or economy.
- The city struggled after the steel plant closed, forcing it to deindustrialize rapidly.
- Many Western nations began to deindustrialize in the late 20th century as factories moved overseas.
- Policymakers worry that new tariffs will further deindustrialize the rural areas.