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
But even over and above that, multiple Arab governments are now demanding that Hamas demilitarizes.
—
Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025
Following the meeting, a senior Israeli official said an understanding between Israel and the U.S. was emerging that there was a need to move from a plan to release some of the hostages to a plan to release all the hostages, disarm Hamas militants, and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
—Maayan Lubell, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Two diplomats said the U.S. was not pushing a Russian demand to demilitarize Ukraine and was not opposed to a European force as part of future security guarantees for Ukraine.
—Elizabeth Piper, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Germany, obliged by history to demilitarize, but conscious that this posture has run its course, almost certainly holds the key to any such transformation.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarize
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Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025
Following the meeting, a senior Israeli official said an understanding between Israel and the U.S. was emerging that there was a need to move from a plan to release some of the hostages to a plan to release all the hostages, disarm Hamas militants, and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
—Maayan Lubell, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Two diplomats said the U.S. was not pushing a Russian demand to demilitarize Ukraine and was not opposed to a European force as part of future security guarantees for Ukraine.
—Elizabeth Piper, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Germany, obliged by history to demilitarize, but conscious that this posture has run its course, almost certainly holds the key to any such transformation.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarize
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demilitarize. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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
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