militarize
verb
mil·i·ta·rize
ˈmi-lə-tə-ˌrīz 
militarized; militarizing
1
: to give a military character to
militarize a country's foreign policy
2
: to equip with military forces and defenses
The area is now fully militarized.
a militarized zone
3
: to adapt for military use
Examples of militarize in a Sentence
militarize a country's foreign policy
Recent Examples on the Web
In a rapidly militarizing Arctic, the real question is not whether the United States should assume greater control and responsibility in Greenland.
—
Paul McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The building, which has been militarized with concrete barriers and chain-link fencing, is currently being used as an ICE field office covering several Midwestern states.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Putting himself in peril, Talankin defied a Kremlin propaganda plan disseminated after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that was designed to militarize children and dictate their worldview.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
In a statement posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Telegram channel, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the declaration, backed by Ukraine, the United States and several European countries, was not aimed at peace but at further militarizing Ukraine and escalating the conflict.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for militarize
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Paul McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The building, which has been militarized with concrete barriers and chain-link fencing, is currently being used as an ICE field office covering several Midwestern states.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Putting himself in peril, Talankin defied a Kremlin propaganda plan disseminated after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that was designed to militarize children and dictate their worldview.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
In a statement posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Telegram channel, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the declaration, backed by Ukraine, the United States and several European countries, was not aimed at peace but at further militarizing Ukraine and escalating the conflict.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for militarize
Cite this Entry
“Militarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarize. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
militarize
verb
mil·i·ta·rize
ˈmil-ə-tə-ˌrīz
militarized; militarizing
1
: to equip with military forces and defenses
2
: to give a military character to
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