denuclearize

verb

de·​nu·​cle·​ar·​ize (ˈ)dē-ˈn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˌrīz 

nonstandard

-kyə-lə-ˌrīz 

denuclearized; denuclearizing

transitive verb

: to remove nuclear arms from : prohibit the use of nuclear arms in

denuclearization

(ˌ)dē-ˌn(y)ü-klē-ə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

nonstandard -kyə-lə-rə-

noun

Examples of denuclearize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As North Korea's nuclear programs have advanced, pressure on them to denuclearize has weakened. — Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026

Summits between the two countries were held in 2018 and 2019, but ultimately, Pyongyang’s refusal to denuclearize destroyed the negotiations. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026

Decades of international sanctions, condemnations, and isolation have not forced Pyongyang to denuclearize. — Zheng Jiyong, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026

Speaking at a ruling party congress last month, Kim laid out his vision for more nuclear development, while urging the US to drop its longstanding demand that his country denuclearize before any dialogue can resume. — Soo-Hyang Choi, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for denuclearize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize