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
In opening up this particular theatre of the global migrant crisis, Lukashenka has weaponized refugees against the E.U., with the aims of destabilizing the liberal West and fanning the flames of right-wing nationalism and anti-immigrant rhetoric worldwide.
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Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 June 2024
His artistic expression that was weaponized against him in court decades prior.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 June 2024
At the same time, the Justice Department under Merrick Garland seeks to weaponize the FDA’s approval to preclude states from enforcing their own laws.
—The Editors, National Review, 14 June 2024
Enlarge Getty Images Ransomware criminals have quickly weaponized an easy-to-exploit vulnerability in the PHP programming language that executes malicious code on web servers, security researchers said.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for weaponize 
Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 June 2024
His artistic expression that was weaponized against him in court decades prior.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 June 2024
At the same time, the Justice Department under Merrick Garland seeks to weaponize the FDA’s approval to preclude states from enforcing their own laws.
—The Editors, National Review, 14 June 2024
Enlarge Getty Images Ransomware criminals have quickly weaponized an easy-to-exploit vulnerability in the PHP programming language that executes malicious code on web servers, security researchers said.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for weaponize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'weaponize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Weaponize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weaponize. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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