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

First is the country’s penchant for weaponizing its currency. — Gordon Liao, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2026

Several other Democratic lawmakers agreed that their intention in the next Congress will not be to weaponize or politicize science, but to restore faith in the existing system. — Nicholas Florko, STAT, 12 Nov. 2026

The Democrats continue to weaponize and abuse the United States of America. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026

Within the United States, federal authorities are preparing for a broader range of threats, including unauthorized flights around airports and sensitive sites as well as criminal or deliberately weaponized drones. — MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Nov. 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