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
To be sure, both Democrats have fat oppo files filled with past statements that wouldn’t be hard to weaponize.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Treasury accused the government of weaponizing anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws to target political opponents.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
The same economic frustrations that drive perilous journeys north are now being weaponized to fill foreign trenches east.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Russia’s relentless strikes on the country’s thermal power plants (there have been 217 attacks since the start of 2026 alone) are a brutal effort to weaponize the weather and make civilians suffer.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
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Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
Treasury accused the government of weaponizing anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws to target political opponents.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
The same economic frustrations that drive perilous journeys north are now being weaponized to fill foreign trenches east.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Russia’s relentless strikes on the country’s thermal power plants (there have been 217 attacks since the start of 2026 alone) are a brutal effort to weaponize the weather and make civilians suffer.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 24 Feb. 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 5 Mar. 2026.
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