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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to disarm
to reduce the size and strength of the armed forces of
the two nations agreed to demilitarize themselves reciprocally in hopes of avoiding war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demilitarization
Ruxandra Iordache,emma Graham, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
In any peace talks, Russia will try to seek demilitarization of Ukraine and severe limitations on its militarization and security partnerships with NATO and Europe, which would render Ukraine perennially vulnerable and endanger European security.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
Maayan Lubell, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Germany, obliged by history to demilitarize, but conscious that this posture has run its course, almost certainly holds the key to any such transformation.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarization
Noun
Israel insists its campaign targets the demilitarization of Hamas and release of hostages taken by the Palestinian militant group after its terror attacks in October 2023.
—Ruxandra Iordache,emma Graham, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
In any peace talks, Russia will try to seek demilitarization of Ukraine and severe limitations on its militarization and security partnerships with NATO and Europe, which would render Ukraine perennially vulnerable and endanger European security.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Following the meeting, a senior Israeli official said an understanding between Israel and the U.S. was emerging that there was a need to move from a plan to release some of the hostages to a plan to release all the hostages, disarm Hamas militants, and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
—Maayan Lubell, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Germany, obliged by history to demilitarize, but conscious that this posture has run its course, almost certainly holds the key to any such transformation.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demilitarization
Noun
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If the army physically cannot perform this mission, then the historic decision to pursue disarmament will be irrelevant.—
Bilal Y. Saab,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
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Afterward, Mitchell became the editor of Nuclear Times, the disarmament magazine, despite having no nuclear background other than some extravagant atomic-bomb drills in junior high in the fifties.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The question now, which has dominated all public debate in Lebanon, is how the Lebanese army will actually disarm Hezbollah.—
Bilal Y. Saab,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
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If personality conflicts emerge, know how to disarm them effectively.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the eyes of his critics, Zelensky has allowed too many Ukrainians to remain physically and mentally demobilized, placing a greater burden on those already exhausted by years of fighting.—
NATALIYA GUMENYUK,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Aug. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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