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.
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Recent Examples of demobilize
Analysts note that Syria’s security environment remains shaped by former jihadist networks that were never fully demobilized after the war.
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Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
In the 1970s, the Soviet Union enjoyed an advantageous shift in nuclear and conventional capabilities relative to the United States, which was demobilizing after the Vietnam War.
—Caleb Pomeroy, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2025
On Tuesday, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek directed U.S. Northern Command to demobilize Oregon’s 200 National Guard troops and return another 200 California National Guard members to their state.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Israel wants Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia that took a beating during its war with Israel last fall, disarmed and demobilized.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demobilize
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
In the 1970s, the Soviet Union enjoyed an advantageous shift in nuclear and conventional capabilities relative to the United States, which was demobilizing after the Vietnam War.
—Caleb Pomeroy, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2025
On Tuesday, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek directed U.S. Northern Command to demobilize Oregon’s 200 National Guard troops and return another 200 California National Guard members to their state.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Israel wants Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia that took a beating during its war with Israel last fall, disarmed and demobilized.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demobilize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demobilize
Verb
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That phase includes limited border reopenings, efforts to demilitarize Gaza and discussions over postwar governance.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Reopening borders is among the challenging issues on the agenda for the phase now underway, which also includes demilitarizing the strip after nearly two decades of Hamas rule and installing a new government to oversee reconstruction.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The president was additionally nominated for the prize last year for the brokerage of the Abraham Accords and by 18 House Republicans in 2018 for denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and ending the 68-year-old war between North and South Korea.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
31 July 2025
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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
Verb
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But those big goals contrast with the reality on the ground, where disarming Hamas remains a challenge.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Questions about disarming Hamas Central to Thursday’s discussions was creating an armed international stabilization force to keep security and ensure the disarming of the militant Hamas group, a key demand of Israel and a cornerstone of the ceasefire deal.—
Aamer Madhani,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demobilize. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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