demilitarize

verb

de·​mil·​i·​ta·​rize (ˌ)dē-ˈmi-lə-tə-ˌrīz 

di-

demilitarized; demilitarizing; demilitarizes

transitive verb

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

demilitarization

(ˌ)dē-ˌmi-lə-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 

di-

noun

Synonyms

• disarm
• demobilize

Examples of demilitarize in a Sentence

the two nations agreed to demilitarize themselves reciprocally in hopes of avoiding war

Recent Examples on the Web

Speaking to Channel 14 on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war would end once all of the hostage bodies have been returned and Hamas is demilitarized. —Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025

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

This Palestinian state would be demilitarized except for internal security purposes. —Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for demilitarize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize

Kids 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

(ˌ)dē-ˌmil-ə-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən

noun