weaponize

verb

weap·​on·​ize ˈwe-pə-ˌnīz 

weaponized; weaponizing

transitive verb

: to adapt for use as a weapon of war

weaponization

ˌwe-pə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of weaponize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

No artist, producer, director, or leader—regardless of legacy or celebrity—should be allowed to weaponize their platform to belittle, threaten, or devalue others without consequence. —Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 30 May 2025

Laura is a role that allows Hawkins to weaponize her own appealing good nature. —Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025

But, as outlined in the memo, its most insidious role is as a covert arm of Venezuela’s security state—used to assassinate dissidents, threaten exiled opposition figures, and weaponize migration as a geopolitical tool. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025

The same tools that can encourage positive behaviors may be weaponized for manipulation, spreading misinformation, or unduly influencing vulnerable populations. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for weaponize

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