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
The shift is especially important with the bloc’s alternative to Russian LNG — Washington — becoming increasingly unreliable and willing to weaponize economic tools.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The passage of a wealth tax could be weaponized in a presidential campaign.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Homeland Security officials accused Carlitos Ricardo Parias of weaponizing his car and ramming a law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee in that incident.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Well, the facts are that this individual weaponized her car and threatened the life of the law enforcement officer and those around him.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
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Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The passage of a wealth tax could be weaponized in a presidential campaign.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Homeland Security officials accused Carlitos Ricardo Parias of weaponizing his car and ramming a law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee in that incident.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Well, the facts are that this individual weaponized her car and threatened the life of the law enforcement officer and those around him.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 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 25 Jan. 2026.
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