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

In both cases, the agency said the two men attempted to flee traffic stops and weaponized their vehicles. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 22 July 2026

Russia—the petrostate that spent a decade trying to weaponize natural gas against Europe—is now rationing fuel at home as shortages spread across the country. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Trump weaponized that hostility, emphasizing a narrative of Maduro flooding American streets with fentanyl and mentally ill criminals. — Rafael Osío Cabrices, Time, 20 July 2026

Public officials should be held accountable, but the ethics process should not be weaponized. — Stephen V. Iacullo, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for weaponize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies