MILITARIZE Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

militarize

verb

Definition of militarize

as in to arm

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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 militarize Trump said Xi also told him that China intended to continue buying oil from Iran, even as Beijing opposed any effort by Iran to militarize or effectively toll the Strait of Hormuz. — Nik Popli, Time, 14 May 2026 Some national parks have militarized their ranger forces to combat poachers, while private reserves typically pay private security companies like Milk River to keep their rhinos safe. — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 29 Apr. 2026 As countries in the region militarize their fishing fleets, the cost will ultimately be detrimental to ecological sustainability and geopolitical stability. — Nicole Tung, NPR, 18 Apr. 2026 In the South China Sea, Xi told President Obama that China would not militarize the Spratly Islands, yet soon after began constructing runways, installing radar systems and deploying missiles, culminating in a full-scale military buildup. — Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for militarize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for militarize

Verb

Ahmed doesn’t merely document the decisions that led President Biden and his aides to arm and rationalize what leading human rights organizations and legal scholars now consider a genocide.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
The militarization of space is as old as the space race itself -- as soon as the USSR's Sputnik was launched into orbit as the first probe in space in 1957, Washington and Moscow began exploring ways to both arm and destroy satellites.

— CBS News, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of arm

Verb

Disneyland visitors who have always wanted to try the $250 lightsaber building experience in Savi’s Workshop without footing the bill or having to lug the Jedi Knight weapon all over the Anaheim theme park will now get their chance.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 22 May 2026
Potentially, starting as a kickoff/coverage teams weapon — 15 career tackles covering punts.

— Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Definition of weapon

Verb

The emergency declaration will help coordinate and mobilize supplies and mitigation work across the state, including flood mitigation and snow preparation.

— Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
At full scale, one public dollar could mobilize roughly four private dollars to keep tropical forests standing.

— Marcene Mitchell, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of mobilize

Browse Nearby Words

militarization

militarize

militarized

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“Militarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militarize. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of militarize

verb

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