weaponization

American  

[wep-uhn-ahyz-ay-shuhn] / ˌwɛp ənˌaɪzˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of using something as a weapon to gain advantage over an enemy or rival.

2. the act of equipping something, such as a vehicle, system, or country, with a weapon or weapons.

3. the act of developing something, such as a chemical or microorganism, expressly for use as a weapon of war.

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Example Sentences

The real innovation of the past decade has been in engagement optimization, algorithmic content distribution and the weaponization of human psychology to generate advertising revenue.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday he plans to coordinate with allies to counter China’s weaponization of rare-earth minerals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

"This is going to be much about verification on the enrichment programme and then ultimately verification on weaponization."

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2025

Yet the prejudice and what she calls its political weaponization is universal and globally intertwined, she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2024

Hirschhorn warns of the weaponization of artificial intelligence and social media, represented by virtual forms of war — news feeds and games alike.

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2024