demilitarize
verb
de·mil·i·ta·rize
(ˌ)dē-ˈmi-lə-tə-ˌrīz 
di-
demilitarized; demilitarizing; demilitarizes
1
a
: to do away with the military organization or potential of
b
: to prohibit (something, such as a zone or frontier area) from being used for military purposes
2
: to rid of military characteristics or uses
Examples of demilitarize in a Sentence
the two nations agreed to demilitarize themselves reciprocally in hopes of avoiding war
Recent Examples on the Web
Given this history, any Israeli government of the foreseeable future would demand that a Palestinian state be demilitarized, with severe restrictions of the weapons even a police force can carry.
—
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Japan was demilitarized as a condition of its surrender; all swords, even those not used as war weapons, were required to be forfeited to the Allied forces that occupied Japan until 1952.
—Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
That plan would allow Israel to formally annex much of the West Bank and reject the return of Palestinian refugees, in exchange for regional investment and promises of a rump Palestinian state that would be demilitarized and lack sovereignty in any meaningful sense.
—Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
Waltz also said the Trump administration will ensure Gaza is demilitarized and Hamas is destroyed.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for demilitarize 
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Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Japan was demilitarized as a condition of its surrender; all swords, even those not used as war weapons, were required to be forfeited to the Allied forces that occupied Japan until 1952.
—Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
That plan would allow Israel to formally annex much of the West Bank and reject the return of Palestinian refugees, in exchange for regional investment and promises of a rump Palestinian state that would be demilitarized and lack sovereignty in any meaningful sense.
—Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
Waltz also said the Trump administration will ensure Gaza is demilitarized and Hamas is destroyed.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for demilitarize
Dictionary Entries Near demilitarize
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demilitarize. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
demilitarize
verb
de·mil·i·ta·rize
(ˈ)dē-ˈmil-ə-tə-ˌrīz
: to strip of military forces, weapons, or fortification
a demilitarized zone
demilitarization
noun
(ˌ)dē-ˌmil-ə-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən
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