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
Trump holds the cards for success or failure in demilitarizing Gaza and deradicalizing the Palestinians.
—
Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
There are a number of ways this process can run aground, first and foremost Hamas’ continued refusal to disarm and demilitarize.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The American ceasefire plan being negotiated this week could allow Israel's military to remain inside the Gaza Strip, and Israel has been calling for Hamas to be entirely demilitarized.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
The Israeli government declared war on Hamas in the immediate aftermath of the attack with leaders expressing the goal to completely demilitarize Hamas and to remove them from power in Gaza.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarize
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Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
There are a number of ways this process can run aground, first and foremost Hamas’ continued refusal to disarm and demilitarize.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The American ceasefire plan being negotiated this week could allow Israel's military to remain inside the Gaza Strip, and Israel has been calling for Hamas to be entirely demilitarized.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
The Israeli government declared war on Hamas in the immediate aftermath of the attack with leaders expressing the goal to completely demilitarize Hamas and to remove them from power in Gaza.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 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 Oct. 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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