as in to demilitarize
to release (someone or something) from military service
Both leaders agreed to demobilize their armies and sign the peace treaty. Ships returned to port to be demobilized.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 demobilize
Its influence extended around the world: In 2006, an advertising agency in Bogotá, Colombia, was asked by the government to research, prototype, and launch an ad campaign imploring a group of Marxist-Leninist guerrilla fighters to demobilize.
—
Celine Nguyen, The Atlantic, 24 June 2025
Kinshasa, meanwhile, would have to facilitate the M23’s transition to a legitimate political party and help its combatants integrate into the Congolese army or demobilize.
—Joshua Z. Walker, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
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
Police eventually demobilized around 3 a.m. Tuesday.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demobilize
Celine Nguyen, The Atlantic, 24 June 2025
Kinshasa, meanwhile, would have to facilitate the M23’s transition to a legitimate political party and help its combatants integrate into the Congolese army or demobilize.
—Joshua Z. Walker, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
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
Police eventually demobilized around 3 a.m. Tuesday.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demobilize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demobilize
Verb
-
But even over and above that, multiple Arab governments are now demanding that Hamas demilitarizes.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Following the meeting, a senior Israeli official said an understanding between Israel and the U.S. was emerging that there was a need to move from a plan to release some of the hostages to a plan to release all the hostages, disarm Hamas militants, and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.—
Maayan Lubell,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In recent months, administration officials have said that the president’s goal remains the same: completely denuclearizing North Korea.—
Max Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
-
Lee, in particular, must be ready to sacrifice the unrealistic rhetoric about fully denuclearizing North Korea and reunifying the two countries that has long dominated South Korean politics, as well as the fantasy that imposing sanctions will change North Korean behavior.—
John Delury,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Now, as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has been openly discussing disarming Hezbollah, natural gas remains available to Lebanon on which to rebuild its shattered economy.—
Daniel Markind,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Unlikely, the Macquarie team says, because no one in Europe believes that Putin is likely to disarm or avoid future military engagements.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demobilize. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share