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
Until Sunday, the summit was demilitarized and patrolled by UN peacekeepers – their highest permanent position in the world.
—
Mick Krever, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
If Israel cannot fully remove Hamas from power, demilitarize the strip, and back a new authority in Gaza, then Hamas will likely reconstitute itself and fight another day.
—John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2024
The Biden administration says the basis for any cease-fire deal is to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which would require a wide swath of southern Lebanon to be demilitarized, up to the Litani River.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
The answer is clear: empower and support Israel to finish the job, comprehensively defeating and demilitarizing Hezbollah and transferring control of Lebanon back to the Lebanese people and the Lebanese Armed Forces.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demilitarize 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mick Krever, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
If Israel cannot fully remove Hamas from power, demilitarize the strip, and back a new authority in Gaza, then Hamas will likely reconstitute itself and fight another day.
—John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2024
The Biden administration says the basis for any cease-fire deal is to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which would require a wide swath of southern Lebanon to be demilitarized, up to the Litani River.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
The answer is clear: empower and support Israel to finish the job, comprehensively defeating and demilitarizing Hezbollah and transferring control of Lebanon back to the Lebanese people and the Lebanese Armed Forces.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
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 22 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share