weaponize
verb
weap·on·ize
ˈwe-pə-ˌnīz 
weaponized; weaponizing
: to adapt for use as a weapon of war
Examples of weaponize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Allegations of gender violence were frequently weaponized during Reconstruction and Jim Crow to prevent Black men from gaining political power, and to keep them away from white women.
—
Sarah Lustbader, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Many jurisdictions virtually ceased enforcing the law against dangerous repeat offenders while weaponizing law enforcement against political opponents like me.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
Veteran opposition movements between 2022 and 2023 saw patrons try to weaponize Russian servicemen and veterans to advance personal political objectives, such as former officer Igor Girkin, who played a key role in the annexation of Crimea, and Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Their grief was weaponized to tear into Gomez — but also into anyone who saw their own concerns reflected in hers.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
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Sarah Lustbader, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Many jurisdictions virtually ceased enforcing the law against dangerous repeat offenders while weaponizing law enforcement against political opponents like me.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
Veteran opposition movements between 2022 and 2023 saw patrons try to weaponize Russian servicemen and veterans to advance personal political objectives, such as former officer Igor Girkin, who played a key role in the annexation of Crimea, and Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Their grief was weaponized to tear into Gomez — but also into anyone who saw their own concerns reflected in hers.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaponize
Cite this Entry
“Weaponize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weaponize. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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