weaponize

verb

weap·​on·​ize ˈwe-pə-ˌnīz 

weaponized; weaponizing

transitive verb

: 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

weaponization

ˌwe-pə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of weaponize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The agreement has raised concerns around the proliferation of technologies that could support a Saudi effort to weaponize nuclear energy, security experts and members of Congress have said. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

The betrayal is all the more painful, coming amid almost constant Russian drone and missile attacks and ahead of a winter that Moscow openly plans to weaponize. — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

But our heroine, who’s clearly still possessed by the superhuman poise that Yeoh has weaponized across her brilliant career, is unconvinced. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Countries watching the current moment might conclude that executive agility and the willingness to weaponize economic relationships are the currencies of power in a volatile world. — Jonas Nahm, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for weaponize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies