militarize

verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to give a military character to
2
: to equip with military forces and defenses
3
: to adapt for military use
militarization
ˌmi-lə-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce militarize (audio)
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.
The Australian government’s response is militarized as well, and the mass graves full of bodies recovered by volunteers like Ava and Clay bring to mind overflowing funeral homes in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2025 Furthermore, Zavala contends that this perspective reinforces the narrative that the U.S.-Mexico border needs to be militarized. — Alejandra Marquez Guajardo, The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2025 Manila also has its eye on the U.S. Army's Typhoon midrange missile launcher that would put within reach not only the artificial islands China built and militarized in the South China Sea but also much of China's Eastern Seaboard. — John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 Assad’s particular brutality militarized Syria’s initially peaceful uprising, justifying an increasingly militant opposition to him. — Fawaz A. Gerges, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2025 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

Rhymes for militarize

See All Rhymes for militarize

Browse Nearby Words

militarize
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Cite this Entry

“Militarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarize. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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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
ˌmil-ə-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce militarize (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on militarize

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for militarize

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