weaponize
verb
weap·on·ize
ˈwe-pə-ˌnīz 
weaponized; weaponizing
: 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
Justin ChangExamples of weaponize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Theroux’s kindness-first approach, typically an asset, becomes a liability when dealing with subjects to whom compassion is coded as weakness and then weaponized for content.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
The fear, Murphy says, is that all that data could be weaponized – and that extends beyond the risk to a single person.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
The danger is in doing nothing as theocratic lunatics continue to weaponize with atomic bombs and modern missile delivery systems.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
This is hardly the first time the Strait of Hormuz has been weaponized.
—ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
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Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
The fear, Murphy says, is that all that data could be weaponized – and that extends beyond the risk to a single person.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
The danger is in doing nothing as theocratic lunatics continue to weaponize with atomic bombs and modern missile delivery systems.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
This is hardly the first time the Strait of Hormuz has been weaponized.
—ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
Cite this Entry
“Weaponize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weaponize. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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