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
Zelensky has said that Ukrainian forces would be willing to leave the eastern part of the country if Russian troops also withdraw and the area becomes demilitarized, with an international coalition monitoring the region.
—
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2025
The Ukrainian leader said any withdrawal of troops would have to be reciprocal, with Moscow giving up as much Ukrainian territory as that ceded by Kyiv and those pockets of the Donbas becoming demilitarized as a result.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Officials said the operations are part of a systematic effort to demilitarize the peninsula.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
The original plan would see the eastern region demilitarized, and Ukraine would be able to build new defensive lines, so the military loss would not be severe.
—Anatol Lieven, Time, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarize
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Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2025
The Ukrainian leader said any withdrawal of troops would have to be reciprocal, with Moscow giving up as much Ukrainian territory as that ceded by Kyiv and those pockets of the Donbas becoming demilitarized as a result.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Officials said the operations are part of a systematic effort to demilitarize the peninsula.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
The original plan would see the eastern region demilitarized, and Ukraine would be able to build new defensive lines, so the military loss would not be severe.
—Anatol Lieven, Time, 28 Nov. 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 2 Jan. 2026.
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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