weaponize
verb
weap·on·ize
ˈwe-pə-ˌnīz 
weaponized; weaponizing
: to adapt for use as a weapon of war
Examples of weaponize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
TikTok has faced growing scrutiny over fears that user data could fall into the possession of the Chinese government and the app could be weaponized by China to spread misinformation.
—
Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024
That's just a taste of how this app could be weaponized.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2024
In addition, officials fear that China could weaponize its dominance of some key resources.
—Jorge Valero, Bloomberg.com, 14 Mar. 2024
In a statement before the House Judiciary Committee in 2020, FBI director Christopher Wray noted the ways in which terrorist organizations and foreign countries could weaponize social media to spread disinformation and undermine trust in democratic institutions.
—Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2024
In some cases, they are weaponized by wealthy, resourceful homeowners to block new housing from being built.
—Byalena Botros, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024
There are swipes at the way society’s underdogs and outcasts are treated by those who rule, how religious and cultural differences get politicized and then weaponized in the name of power and profit, and how a caste system continues to warp the humanity of all involved.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024
Rogers addressed the scandal on her campaign website and said the criminal justice system has been weaponized to destroy political opponents.
—Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024
Rosenworcel began asking about automaker policies after a story in The New York Times about how connected cars are being weaponized in abusive relationships.
—Tom Krisher, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024
Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024
That's just a taste of how this app could be weaponized.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2024
In addition, officials fear that China could weaponize its dominance of some key resources.
—Jorge Valero, Bloomberg.com, 14 Mar. 2024
In a statement before the House Judiciary Committee in 2020, FBI director Christopher Wray noted the ways in which terrorist organizations and foreign countries could weaponize social media to spread disinformation and undermine trust in democratic institutions.
—Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2024
In some cases, they are weaponized by wealthy, resourceful homeowners to block new housing from being built.
—Byalena Botros, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024
There are swipes at the way society’s underdogs and outcasts are treated by those who rule, how religious and cultural differences get politicized and then weaponized in the name of power and profit, and how a caste system continues to warp the humanity of all involved.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024
Rogers addressed the scandal on her campaign website and said the criminal justice system has been weaponized to destroy political opponents.
—Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024
Rosenworcel began asking about automaker policies after a story in The New York Times about how connected cars are being weaponized in abusive relationships.
—Tom Krisher, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'weaponize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near weaponize
Cite this Entry
“Weaponize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weaponize. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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