as in disarmament
the reduction or elimination of a country's armed forces or weapons
the demilitarization of some formerly warlike nations that occurred in the aftermath of World War II
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Recent Examples of demilitarization
The Jerusalem Post reported that the force’s mandate would include the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip—a key demand of Israel and one to which Hamas has yet to clearly agree.
—
MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
On Saturday, Rubio said a number of countries have offered to take part in the force to support the demilitarization of Gaza and monitor compliance with the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2025
The proposal called for an immediate cease-fire and hostage exchange, Israeli security guarantees, the demilitarization of Gaza, and a new civilian governing authority.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
That includes the demilitarization of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, the Israeli leader said.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
The second phase would involve further withdrawal of Israeli forces in coordination with the complete disarmament of Hamas and demilitarization of the enclave.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Some analysts said Hamas likely won’t accept the deal, which calls for Gaza’s demilitarization.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
This dimension of the work was heightened by its site, a former helicopter landing field on an old NATO base, given over to the Autostrada Biennale in 2014 as part of a process of demilitarization in the aftermath of the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s and Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008.
—Joanna Warsza, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Hamas' main goal is to end the war and survive, and if the deal succeeds in a hostage-prisoner exchange and an end of the war, Hamas may be able to sell it as a victory, leaving the question of Gaza's demilitarization an issue to contend with later as Hamas calculates its next steps.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
On Saturday, Rubio said a number of countries have offered to take part in the force to support the demilitarization of Gaza and monitor compliance with the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2025
The proposal called for an immediate cease-fire and hostage exchange, Israeli security guarantees, the demilitarization of Gaza, and a new civilian governing authority.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
That includes the demilitarization of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, the Israeli leader said.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
The second phase would involve further withdrawal of Israeli forces in coordination with the complete disarmament of Hamas and demilitarization of the enclave.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Some analysts said Hamas likely won’t accept the deal, which calls for Gaza’s demilitarization.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
This dimension of the work was heightened by its site, a former helicopter landing field on an old NATO base, given over to the Autostrada Biennale in 2014 as part of a process of demilitarization in the aftermath of the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s and Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008.
—Joanna Warsza, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Hamas' main goal is to end the war and survive, and if the deal succeeds in a hostage-prisoner exchange and an end of the war, Hamas may be able to sell it as a victory, leaving the question of Gaza's demilitarization an issue to contend with later as Hamas calculates its next steps.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarization
disarmament
Noun
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Some countries believe that a political process must come first, establishing transitional governance to provide legitimacy and cover for disarmament.—
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
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To break this pattern of a ceasefire marred by violent escalations – and prevent the emerging new normal – requires major progress on some of the 20-point plan’s most difficult conditions, including the disarmament of Hamas and creating new governance in Gaza.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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