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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as in to disarm
to reduce the size and strength of the armed forces of
the two nations agreed to demilitarize themselves reciprocally in hopes of avoiding war
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Recent Examples of demilitarization
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
Emily Feng, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
The Israeli government declared war on Hamas in the immediate aftermath of the attack with leaders expressing the goal to completely demilitarize Hamas and to remove them from power in Gaza.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarization
Noun
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
Verb
The American ceasefire plan being negotiated this week could allow Israel's military to remain inside the Gaza Strip, and Israel has been calling for Hamas to be entirely demilitarized.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
The Israeli government declared war on Hamas in the immediate aftermath of the attack with leaders expressing the goal to completely demilitarize Hamas and to remove them from power in Gaza.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarization
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
Verb
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Still, Hamas refuses to disarm.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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Hairston was charged with resisting an officer with violence, attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, kidnapping and child abuse, officials said.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Analysts note that Syria’s security environment remains shaped by former jihadist networks that were never fully demobilized after the war.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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In the 1970s, the Soviet Union enjoyed an advantageous shift in nuclear and conventional capabilities relative to the United States, which was demobilizing after the Vietnam War.—
Caleb Pomeroy,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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