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

This administration is spreading medical misinformation, weaponizing the Department of Justice, destroying the separation of powers, and blatantly selling political favors. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025

Now, some voting rights groups are seeking assurances that the new approach between Kansas and Missouri won’t be weaponized to discourage people from participating in elections in the name of fraud prevention. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Nov. 2025

What began as a mission of survival becomes a sweeping fight against a world built on exploitation, where loyalty, power and truth are all weaponized. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025

This term broadly refers to acts of sabotage on infrastructure, including cables, or tactics like weaponizing migration and executing crippling cyberattacks. —MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for weaponize

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