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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 demilitarize
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 demilitarize
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 demilitarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarize
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Research documents how political violence leads to political repression and demobilizes social movements.—
Dana R. Fisher,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2025
-
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
“Demilitarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarize. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share