weaponize
verb
weap·on·ize
ˈwe-pə-ˌnīz 
weaponized; weaponizing
: to adapt for use as a weapon of war
—often used figuratively
… the ways people weaponize fear in order to hide their own.—
Justin Chang
Justin ChangExamples of weaponize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Advertisement Iranians deserve better than having their grievances weaponized for geopolitical advantage.
—Narges Bajoghli, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
America has a long history of scapegoating immigrants, but this moment is especially dangerous because the rhetoric is being weaponized at the highest levels of government.
—Jennifer Obel, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
As Jay Jonah Atterbury, one of a handful of new characters on the fourth season of Industry, Kal Penn weaponizes and corrupts the stoner quirks viewers may recognize from his years playing Kumar Patel in the Harold & Kumar films.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
The man and woman are in stable condition after the agent shot them Thursday in their car in what the Department of Homeland Security said was self-defense after the driver tried to weaponize the vehicle.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
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Narges Bajoghli, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
America has a long history of scapegoating immigrants, but this moment is especially dangerous because the rhetoric is being weaponized at the highest levels of government.
—Jennifer Obel, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
As Jay Jonah Atterbury, one of a handful of new characters on the fourth season of Industry, Kal Penn weaponizes and corrupts the stoner quirks viewers may recognize from his years playing Kumar Patel in the Harold & Kumar films.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
The man and woman are in stable condition after the agent shot them Thursday in their car in what the Department of Homeland Security said was self-defense after the driver tried to weaponize the vehicle.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
Cite this Entry
“Weaponize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weaponize. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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