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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demilitarization
Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
The multinational force in Kosovo ensured Serbian forces' withdrawal and demilitarized the Kosovo Liberation Army—while also providing security and public safety, supporting humanitarian assistance and refugee return, and coordinating with the UN's governance mission.
—Nir Arielli, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula, also occupied in that war, in exchange for peace with Egypt, and it had been demilitarized, a major Egyptian concession.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
The Sinai Peninsula was demilitarized, and Israeli ships won free passage through the Suez Canal.
—Stephen Neukam, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demilitarization
Verb
That plan would allow Israel to formally annex much of the West Bank and reject the return of Palestinian refugees, in exchange for regional investment and promises of a rump Palestinian state that would be demilitarized and lack sovereignty in any meaningful sense.
—Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
The multinational force in Kosovo ensured Serbian forces' withdrawal and demilitarized the Kosovo Liberation Army—while also providing security and public safety, supporting humanitarian assistance and refugee return, and coordinating with the UN's governance mission.
—Nir Arielli, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula, also occupied in that war, in exchange for peace with Egypt, and it had been demilitarized, a major Egyptian concession.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
The Sinai Peninsula was demilitarized, and Israeli ships won free passage through the Suez Canal.
—Stephen Neukam, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demilitarization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarization
Verb
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Garfield was an actor known for his wide range, capable of a disarming naturalness and with a capacity for carefully nuanced gestures.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2025
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Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, emphasized that the government can disarm individuals who pose a credible threat to others, particularly in the context of domestic abuse.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Research documents how political violence leads to political repression and demobilizes social movements.—
Dana R. Fisher,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2025
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Demilitarizing the economy and demobilizing the public would risk undermining the system that sustains his rule.—
Andrei Kolesnikov,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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