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
Implementing the next steps of the ceasefire, including the demilitarization of Hamas, a key stipulation and sticking point in the ceasefire deal, as well as outlining plans to rebuild Gaza, where much of the enclave has been destroyed, will be a monumental task.
—
Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Israel and Hamas remain divided over the timeline and scope of Israel's withdrawal and the demilitarization of the enclave after nearly two decades of Hamas rule.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Ike, always comprehensive in vision, also achieved the demilitarization of Antarctica.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Israel and Hamas remain divided over the timeline and scope of Israel’s withdrawal and the demilitarization of the enclave after nearly two decades of Hamas rule.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
In November, the United Nations Security Council backed the plan, giving it international legitimacy and a mandate to oversee the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
The United Nations Security Council backed the plan in November – giving it international legitimacy – with a mandate for the board to oversee the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
Hamas rejects the demilitarization clause at the heart of the plan, which is a key part of phase two.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2025
Netanyahu stressed that the second phase of the ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza, could begin as soon as the end of the month.
—CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Israel and Hamas remain divided over the timeline and scope of Israel's withdrawal and the demilitarization of the enclave after nearly two decades of Hamas rule.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Ike, always comprehensive in vision, also achieved the demilitarization of Antarctica.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Israel and Hamas remain divided over the timeline and scope of Israel’s withdrawal and the demilitarization of the enclave after nearly two decades of Hamas rule.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
In November, the United Nations Security Council backed the plan, giving it international legitimacy and a mandate to oversee the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
The United Nations Security Council backed the plan in November – giving it international legitimacy – with a mandate for the board to oversee the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
Hamas rejects the demilitarization clause at the heart of the plan, which is a key part of phase two.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2025
Netanyahu stressed that the second phase of the ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza, could begin as soon as the end of the month.
—CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarization
disarmament
Noun
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The group later held a symbolic disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq and began withdrawing its remaining fighters from Turkey.—
Suzan Fraser,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Ghaith al-Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, argued the meeting’s credibility will depend on whether participants coalesce around a clear position on disarmament.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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