militarize
verb
mil·i·ta·rize
ˈmi-lə-tə-ˌrīz 
militarized; militarizing
1
: to give a military character to
2
: to equip with military forces and defenses
3
: to adapt for military use
Examples of militarize in a Sentence
militarize a country's foreign policy
Recent Examples on the Web
With China consolidating its military positions in the last four years and India trying to mirror those moves, the border has been significantly militarized, and an accidental escalation could carry very serious consequences.
—
Praveen Donthi, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2024
The government’s efforts to militarize and weaponize its agencies and employees is reaching epic proportions, with federal agencies stockpiling millions of lethal hollow-point bullets.
—Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 7 May 2024
Middle-aged men with dad bods have joined home defense units, patrolling in golf carts, militarizing what were once suburban neighborhoods.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
City officials assert that the center could improve policing, while critics claim the effort is militarizing police and endangering communities.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2023
The fact that militarized public safety campaigns are proving effective outside of El Salvador has only enhanced the model’s growing appeal across Latin America, which has long suffered the highest rate of violence of any region in the world.
—Gustavo Flores-Macías, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2024
The war has significantly militarized Russian politics and society.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2024
Prosecutors described the rural property as a compound that was heavily fortified, purpose-built, and militarized.
—USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024
Redirecting funds from excessive spending on immigration enforcement, such as militarizing the US/Mexico border, can support pro bono legal services, aid organizations for immigrants, and increase social workers and case managers for these communities.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024
Praveen Donthi, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2024
The government’s efforts to militarize and weaponize its agencies and employees is reaching epic proportions, with federal agencies stockpiling millions of lethal hollow-point bullets.
—Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 7 May 2024
Middle-aged men with dad bods have joined home defense units, patrolling in golf carts, militarizing what were once suburban neighborhoods.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
City officials assert that the center could improve policing, while critics claim the effort is militarizing police and endangering communities.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2023
The fact that militarized public safety campaigns are proving effective outside of El Salvador has only enhanced the model’s growing appeal across Latin America, which has long suffered the highest rate of violence of any region in the world.
—Gustavo Flores-Macías, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2024
The war has significantly militarized Russian politics and society.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2024
Prosecutors described the rural property as a compound that was heavily fortified, purpose-built, and militarized.
—USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024
Redirecting funds from excessive spending on immigration enforcement, such as militarizing the US/Mexico border, can support pro bono legal services, aid organizations for immigrants, and increase social workers and case managers for these communities.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'militarize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near militarize
Cite this Entry
“Militarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militarize. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
militarize
verb
mil·i·ta·rize
ˈmil-ə-tə-ˌrīz
militarized; militarizing
1
: to equip with military forces and defenses
2
: to give a military character to
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