weaponize

verb

weap·​on·​ize ˈwe-pə-ˌnīz 

weaponized; weaponizing

transitive verb

: to adapt for use as a weapon of war

—often used figuratively

… the ways people weaponize fear in order to hide their own.

—Justin Chang

weaponization

ˌwe-pə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of weaponize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s also been weaponized to denigrate everything from Microsoft apps to the DC Extended Universe. — David MacK, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Vision, rebooted and having escaped from those who sought to weaponize him, has been in hiding. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

But weaponizing names introduces a hazard that goes far beyond ordinary negative campaigning. — Andrew Moshirnia, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026

Yet Taiwan and South Korea are unlikely to weaponize their position in the AI value chain. — Alex Capri, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for weaponize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies