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 phase includes limited border reopenings, efforts to demilitarize Gaza and discussions over postwar governance.
—
Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Zelensky has said that Ukrainian forces would be willing to leave the eastern part of the country if Russian troops also withdraw and the area becomes demilitarized, with an international coalition monitoring the region.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2025
The Ukrainian leader said any withdrawal of troops would have to be reciprocal, with Moscow giving up as much Ukrainian territory as that ceded by Kyiv and those pockets of the Donbas becoming demilitarized as a result.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Officials said the operations are part of a systematic effort to demilitarize the peninsula.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarize
Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Zelensky has said that Ukrainian forces would be willing to leave the eastern part of the country if Russian troops also withdraw and the area becomes demilitarized, with an international coalition monitoring the region.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2025
The Ukrainian leader said any withdrawal of troops would have to be reciprocal, with Moscow giving up as much Ukrainian territory as that ceded by Kyiv and those pockets of the Donbas becoming demilitarized as a result.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Officials said the operations are part of a systematic effort to demilitarize the peninsula.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarize
Verb
-
The government has promised to do so in the past but does not have the capabilities to disarm Hezbollah by force.—
Bassem Mroue,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
The Lebanese government, which wants Hezbollah to disarm, has begun direct negotiations with Israel today.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The bet was that engaging with several forces at the same time would avoid power vacuums that are quickly filled when one group demobilizes.—
Roberto Andrés,
The Dial,
28 May 2026
-
Firefighters and equipment are starting to be demobilized as the Incident Management Team transfers command back to local authorities.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarize. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
