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

Trump weaponized that hostility, emphasizing a narrative of Maduro flooding American streets with fentanyl and mentally ill criminals. — Rafael Osío Cabrices, Time, 20 July 2026

Public officials should be held accountable, but the ethics process should not be weaponized. — Stephen V. Iacullo, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026

She is still frequently weaponized by political commentators who use her traditional image to push back against the league's progressive, predominantly Black player base. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026

Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse Deal The Logitech G305 Mouse weaponizes competitive desktop mobility through a 1ms report rate wireless connection and a precise 12,000 DPI Hero optical sensor. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for weaponize

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