as in disarmament
the reduction or elimination of a country's armed forces or weapons
the demilitarization of some formerly warlike nations that occurred in the aftermath of World War II
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Recent Examples of demilitarization
The Palestinian militant group has sought to link any demilitarization to Israeli troop pullbacks.
—
Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Who knew that an attempt to ruin Iran’s navy and army would result in the demilitarization of the West?
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
The demilitarization proposal was handed over to Hamas last week in Cairo, an additional official in the region said.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
As Japan’s occupying power after World War II, the United States undertook a sweeping demilitarization of the country.
—Alastair Gale, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026
For a third year in a row, many Palestinians living in Gaza are currently observing Ramadan from tents amid the rubble of their former homes, with reconstruction among the monumental challenges that lie ahead for the peace process, as well as securing the demilitarization of Hamas.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 21 Feb. 2026
Israel and Hamas remain divided over the timeline and scope of Israel's withdrawal and the demilitarization of the enclave after nearly two decades of Hamas rule.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Ike, always comprehensive in vision, also achieved the demilitarization of Antarctica.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
In November, the United Nations Security Council backed the plan, giving it international legitimacy and a mandate to oversee the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Who knew that an attempt to ruin Iran’s navy and army would result in the demilitarization of the West?
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
The demilitarization proposal was handed over to Hamas last week in Cairo, an additional official in the region said.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
As Japan’s occupying power after World War II, the United States undertook a sweeping demilitarization of the country.
—Alastair Gale, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026
For a third year in a row, many Palestinians living in Gaza are currently observing Ramadan from tents amid the rubble of their former homes, with reconstruction among the monumental challenges that lie ahead for the peace process, as well as securing the demilitarization of Hamas.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 21 Feb. 2026
Israel and Hamas remain divided over the timeline and scope of Israel's withdrawal and the demilitarization of the enclave after nearly two decades of Hamas rule.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Ike, always comprehensive in vision, also achieved the demilitarization of Antarctica.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
In November, the United Nations Security Council backed the plan, giving it international legitimacy and a mandate to oversee the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarization
disarmament
Noun
-
Mladenov conditioned Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza on the fulfillment of other elements of the plan – primarily Hamas’ disarmament and achieving civil governance in Gaza.—
Eugenia Yosef,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
-
Mladenov did not answer questions about what could lie ahead for Gaza in the absence of disarmament.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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