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

More than 80 percent of ransomware victims in a new survey reported their attackers had weaponized artificial intelligence as part of the scheme, according to data made public Wednesday. — Suryatapa Chakraborty, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026

Under increasing international pressure to halt weaponizing hunger, Israel supported the GHF to weaponize aid itself. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Russia is attacking it to weaponize hunger and hold the world hostage. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

On the other hand, the fossil fuel industry contends the legislation would prevent states and environmental groups from weaponizing courts to stop projects for reasons beyond what is written in federal statutes. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 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