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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demilitarization
Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
That plan would allow Israel to formally annex much of the West Bank and reject the return of Palestinian refugees, in exchange for regional investment and promises of a rump Palestinian state that would be demilitarized and lack sovereignty in any meaningful sense.
—Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
Waltz also said the Trump administration will ensure Gaza is demilitarized and Hamas is destroyed.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
The multinational force in Kosovo ensured Serbian forces' withdrawal and demilitarized the Kosovo Liberation Army—while also providing security and public safety, supporting humanitarian assistance and refugee return, and coordinating with the UN's governance mission.
—Nir Arielli, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarization
Verb
Japan was demilitarized as a condition of its surrender; all swords, even those not used as war weapons, were required to be forfeited to the Allied forces that occupied Japan until 1952.
—Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
That plan would allow Israel to formally annex much of the West Bank and reject the return of Palestinian refugees, in exchange for regional investment and promises of a rump Palestinian state that would be demilitarized and lack sovereignty in any meaningful sense.
—Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2025
Waltz also said the Trump administration will ensure Gaza is demilitarized and Hamas is destroyed.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
The multinational force in Kosovo ensured Serbian forces' withdrawal and demilitarized the Kosovo Liberation Army—while also providing security and public safety, supporting humanitarian assistance and refugee return, and coordinating with the UN's governance mission.
—Nir Arielli, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demilitarization
Cite this Entry
“Demilitarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demilitarization. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share