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
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
Israel insists its campaign targets the demilitarization of Hamas and release of hostages taken by the Palestinian militant group after its terror attacks in October 2023.
—Ruxandra Iordache,emma Graham, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
In any peace talks, Russia will try to seek demilitarization of Ukraine and severe limitations on its militarization and security partnerships with NATO and Europe, which would render Ukraine perennially vulnerable and endanger European security.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
Moscow has not budged from its long-term goals of preventing Ukraine from joining NATO, the installation of a pro-Russian proxy government, and Ukraine's demilitarization, which would ensure Ukraine's full capitulation, the ISW said.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
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
Israel insists its campaign targets the demilitarization of Hamas and release of hostages taken by the Palestinian militant group after its terror attacks in October 2023.
—Ruxandra Iordache,emma Graham, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
In any peace talks, Russia will try to seek demilitarization of Ukraine and severe limitations on its militarization and security partnerships with NATO and Europe, which would render Ukraine perennially vulnerable and endanger European security.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
Moscow has not budged from its long-term goals of preventing Ukraine from joining NATO, the installation of a pro-Russian proxy government, and Ukraine's demilitarization, which would ensure Ukraine's full capitulation, the ISW said.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarization
disarmament
Noun
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Following the release, Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and disarmament would receive amnesty, with safe passage offered to those wishing to leave Gaza for countries that have agreed to receive them.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Yet the longer Israel obstructs the Hezbollah disarmament plan, the less receptive most of Lebanon’s Shias will be to it.—
Bilal Y. Saab,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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