denuclearize

verb

de·​nu·​cle·​ar·​ize (ˈ)dē-ˈn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce denuclearize (audio)
nonstandard
-kyə-lə-ˌrīz How to pronounce denuclearize (audio)
denuclearized; denuclearizing

transitive verb

: to remove nuclear arms from : prohibit the use of nuclear arms in
denuclearization
(ˌ)dē-ˌn(y)ü-klē-ə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce denuclearize (audio)
 nonstandard  -kyə-lə-rə-
noun

Examples of denuclearize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 The United States continues to pursue an official policy of completely denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, but the goal is challenged by a North Korean nuclear weapons program that is becoming more sophisticated by the year. John Feng shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made clear on Wednesday that Iran is open to assuring that its nuclear enrichment is kept below the levels necessary for weaponization, but would not be willing to denuclearize completely. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025 However, three years later, Kyiv chose to denuclearize, signing the Budapest Memorandum and transferring the weapons to Russia. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for denuclearize

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of denuclearize was in 1958

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Denuclearize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denuclearize. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on denuclearize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!