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.
In 2015, Chinese leader Xi Jinping stood next to Obama at the White House and publicly promised not to militarize the South China Sea. Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Maduro’s interior minister Diosdado Cabello, who has been accused in the U.S. of being a top leader of the Soles drug cartel, is currently in control of the country’s security apparatus and has issued orders to militarize Caracas ahead of the Jan 10 swearing-in ceremony. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 In response, autocracies such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia militarize against the United States and try to divide its alliances and subvert its democracy. Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Lawmakers in Tuesday’s report acknowledged U.S. rivals are adopting and militarizing AI and recommended Congress oversee AI activity related to national security along with the policies for autonomous weapons use. Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 17 Dec. 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 31 Jan. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!