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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Responding to persecution by India’s Mughal rulers—and the torture and execution of his father—Hargobind militarized Sikhism. Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 21 June 2025 By contrast, the public interest is served if the Court enjoins Defendants from further militarizing California’s communities to allow State and local law enforcement to fulfill their duties to enforce State law. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 June 2025 The report also calls for the creation of a space hotline with China, to be used to lower the risks of miscalculation or misunderstanding as the U.S. and China continue to militarize Earth's orbit. Leonard David, Space.com, 16 May 2025 The White House, of course, responded to this opposition and protest over the weekend in Los Angeles by sending National Guard troops to further militarize the implementation of the administration’s policies. Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for militarize

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of militarize was in 1856

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Militarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarize. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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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