militarize

verb

mil·​i·​ta·​rize ˈmi-lə-tə-ˌrīz How to pronounce militarize (audio)
militarized; militarizing

transitive verb

1
: to give a military character to
2
: to equip with military forces and defenses
3
: to adapt for military use
militarization noun

Examples of militarize in a Sentence

militarize a country's foreign policy
Recent Examples on the Web Prosecutors described the rural property as a compound that was heavily fortified, purpose-built, and militarized. USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Redirecting funds from excessive spending on immigration enforcement, such as militarizing the US/Mexico border, can support pro bono legal services, aid organizations for immigrants, and increase social workers and case managers for these communities. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024 In the Senate, 29 members voted against the package, including 26 Republicans, most of whom likely voted no for a combination of opposition to more aid for Ukraine and a desire to add funds to further militarize the U.S.-Mexico border. William Hartung, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 It could be set off by a sudden Chinese move to militarize Scarborough Shoal, another atoll in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which China seized from the Philippines in 2012. Michael J. Mazarr, Foreign Affairs, 9 Feb. 2024 But the immense efforts of Hamas to militarize the enclave are not in dispute; nor are the intelligence failures of the Israeli military in underestimating the extent and importance of the network to Hamas’s survival. Gal Koplewitz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2024 The covers of contemporary songbooks on display also reveal how music and art could cheerily militarize a population. Anne Wallentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024 In recent years, as Beijing has militarized artificial islands and increased its maritime military presence to assert sovereignty in the South China Sea, tensions and security concerns in the region, particularly in Vietnam and other East Asian countries, have intensified. Jianli Yang, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023 China has been militarizing the islands in the area to support its claims. Regine Cabato, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'militarize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of militarize was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near militarize

Cite this Entry

“Militarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

militarize

verb
mil·​i·​ta·​rize ˈmil-ə-tə-ˌrīz How to pronounce militarize (audio)
militarized; militarizing
1
: to equip with military forces and defenses
2
: to give a military character to
militarization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on militarize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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