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
In October, Grossi estimated that Iran could already fuel up to ten bombs with uranium enriched to sixty per cent, if the government made the political decision to weaponize.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Most experts say these substances would be difficult to weaponize.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 11 Dec. 2025
Pakistan weaponizes blasphemy laws and bombs Advent services.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Alisha Simpson-Watt, LCSW, BCBA, LBA, the Executive Clinical Director and Founder of Collaborative ABA Services, LLC, says this challenge essentially weaponizes social media and, very troublingly, even goes so far as to normalize exclusionary behavior.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
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Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Most experts say these substances would be difficult to weaponize.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 11 Dec. 2025
Pakistan weaponizes blasphemy laws and bombs Advent services.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Alisha Simpson-Watt, LCSW, BCBA, LBA, the Executive Clinical Director and Founder of Collaborative ABA Services, LLC, says this challenge essentially weaponizes social media and, very troublingly, even goes so far as to normalize exclusionary behavior.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
Cite this Entry
“Weaponize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weaponize. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
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