demobilize

verb

de·​mo·​bi·​lize di-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce demobilize (audio)
ˌdē-
demobilized; demobilizing; demobilizes

transitive verb

1
2
: to discharge from military service
demobilization noun

Examples of demobilize in a Sentence

Both leaders agreed to demobilize their armies and sign the peace treaty.
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.
Right-wing paramilitaries, which demobilized in the early 2000s, had recruited at least 2,800 children over roughly a decade. Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2025 Research documents how political violence leads to political repression and demobilizes social movements. Dana R. Fisher, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2025 Demilitarizing the economy and demobilizing the public would risk undermining the system that sustains his rule. Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2025 Then, in 2017, FARC dissident factions, led by former FARC members who either never demobilized or rearmed, began to appear. Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for demobilize

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of demobilize was in 1882

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demobilize. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

demobilize

verb
de·​mo·​bi·​lize di-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce demobilize (audio)
(ˈ)dē-
1
: to dismiss from military service
demobilize an army
2
: to change from a state of war to a state of peace
demobilization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on demobilize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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