demilitarization 1 of 2

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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demilitarize

2 of 2

verb

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demilitarization
Noun
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
Verb
Later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated his government's longstanding demands that Ukraine be demilitarized and stop trying to be allied with the West. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025 This includes European troops on the ground in Ukraine and Zelenskyy's call for arms sales, which would contradict Putin's demands for Ukraine to demilitarize. Lawmakers in Texas and California are back to work in their state capitols as the battle to redistrict intensifies across the country. Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demilitarization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarization
Noun
  • If the army physically cannot perform this mission, then the historic decision to pursue disarmament will be irrelevant.
    Bilal Y. Saab, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Afterward, Mitchell became the editor of Nuclear Times, the disarmament magazine, despite having no nuclear background other than some extravagant atomic-bomb drills in junior high in the fifties.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Most of the international community, while upping the pressure on Israel to stop fighting, are also equally clear that Hamas must disarm immediately.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The confrontation ends when Lorenzo disarms her and shoots, neutralizing the threat and securing the safety of his family.
    Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the eyes of his critics, Zelensky has allowed too many Ukrainians to remain physically and mentally demobilized, placing a greater burden on those already exhausted by years of fighting.
    NATALIYA GUMENYUK, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Israel wants Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia that took a beating during its war with Israel last fall, disarmed and demobilized.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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