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
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
This official acknowledged that significant questions remain concerning the demilitarization of Gaza.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Nov. 2025
What Happens Next Under the resolution, Israeli forces are expected to gradually withdraw from Gaza as stability improves, following standards and timelines tied to demilitarization and agreed upon by Israel, the stabilization force, the United States and other ceasefire guarantors.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
The vote also gave approval for the International Stabilization Force, which -- under the command of the Board of Peace -- will provide security, train a new Palestinian police force and ensure the demilitarization of Gaza.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2025
Without deradicalization, demilitarization will not last.
—Samer Sinijlawi, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
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
This official acknowledged that significant questions remain concerning the demilitarization of Gaza.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Nov. 2025
What Happens Next Under the resolution, Israeli forces are expected to gradually withdraw from Gaza as stability improves, following standards and timelines tied to demilitarization and agreed upon by Israel, the stabilization force, the United States and other ceasefire guarantors.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
The vote also gave approval for the International Stabilization Force, which -- under the command of the Board of Peace -- will provide security, train a new Palestinian police force and ensure the demilitarization of Gaza.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2025
Without deradicalization, demilitarization will not last.
—Samer Sinijlawi, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarization
disarmament
Noun
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Netanyahu conditioned Gaza’s reconstruction on Hamas disarmament and tunnel destruction, potentially using control of Rafah as leverage in ongoing negotiations.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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In Lebanon, the once formidable Hezbollah has been significantly weakened after 13 months of conflict with Israel and now faces a domestic disarmament campaign.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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