military-industrial complex

noun

: an informal alliance of the military and related government departments with defense industries that is held to influence government policy

Examples of military-industrial complex in a Sentence

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Exports of these goods to countries including Kazakhstan and Turkey have spiked in recent years, suggesting that the sales routes are being used to circumvent sanctions and support Russia’s military-industrial complex. Theodore Bunzel, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2024 Ukrainians rightly worry that a cease-fire in the absence of NATO membership will only give the Russian army and Russia’s military-industrial complex time to gain strength and prepare for a future invasion. Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2024 Under the sanctions, any company or entity that does business with parts of Russia’s military-industrial complex will also be at risk of penalties, a Treasury Department senior official told The Associated Press. Rachel Scully, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025 This move will primarily affect businesses outside Russia’s military-industrial complex. Nezir Sinani, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for military-industrial complex

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of military-industrial complex was in 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Military-industrial complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military-industrial%20complex. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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