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 demilitarize
The outcome that Putin wants would be a Ukraine that is permanently stripped of almost 25 percent of its territory, demilitarized, and barred from joining the EU and NATO.
—
Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
Israel demands that Hamas not continue to control Gaza, that Gaza be demilitarized of heavy weapons, and that senior Hamas military and political leaders in Gaza leave the strip and go into exile, the officials added.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Given this history, any Israeli government of the foreseeable future would demand that a Palestinian state be demilitarized, with severe restrictions of the weapons even a police force can carry.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for demilitarize
Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
Israel demands that Hamas not continue to control Gaza, that Gaza be demilitarized of heavy weapons, and that senior Hamas military and political leaders in Gaza leave the strip and go into exile, the officials added.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Given this history, any Israeli government of the foreseeable future would demand that a Palestinian state be demilitarized, with severe restrictions of the weapons even a police force can carry.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for demilitarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarize
Verb
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As Russia has demonstrated in its war in Ukraine, the country that controls global navigation systems and can disarm the satellites of its adversaries will have enormous military advantages.—
Michael Albertus,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying Israel will continue the war until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile.—
Tia Goldenberg,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2025
Verb
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In 2002, concerted pressure from donors, as well as leadership from South Africa and the United Nations, led to a comprehensive peace deal that reunified the country, demobilized 130,000 soldiers, and ushered in a new, democratic constitution and elections.—
Joshua Z. Walker,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
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Police eventually demobilized around 3 a.m. Tuesday.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarize. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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