militarize

verb

mil·​i·​ta·​rize ˈmi-lə-tə-ˌrīz How to pronounce militarize (audio)
militarized; militarizing

transitive verb

1
: to give a military character to
2
: to equip with military forces and defenses
3
: to adapt for military use
militarization noun

Examples of militarize in a Sentence

militarize a country's foreign policy
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Moreover, the global arms race to militarize AI may lead to a destabilizing feedback loop, where nations feel compelled to escalate their capabilities regardless of the moral implications. Max (chong) Li, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 Will Xi Jinping offer Trump a deal to let China militarize the whole South China Sea, and later digest Taiwan at leisure? Andreas Kluth, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 All while militarizing the countries around Iran, Russia, and China in a vain attempt to get those governments to calm down. Connor Okeeffe, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2024 Lisa Curtis, an Asia policy expert at the Center for a New American Security, who previously worked at the White House, CIA and State Department, said India, which is not part of any military alliance, has been worried about perceptions that the Quad could be militarizing the Indo-Pacific. USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for militarize 

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of militarize was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near militarize

Cite this Entry

“Militarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarize. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

militarize

verb
mil·​i·​ta·​rize ˈmil-ə-tə-ˌrīz How to pronounce militarize (audio)
militarized; militarizing
1
: to equip with military forces and defenses
2
: to give a military character to
militarization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on militarize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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