denuclearize

American  

[dee-noo-klee-uh-rahyz, -nyoo-, -kyuh-luh-] / diˈnu kli əˌraɪz, -ˈnyu-, -kyə lə- /

especially British, denuclearise

verb (used with object)

denuclearized, denuclearizing

1. to remove nuclear weapons from (a country, region, etc.).

2. to prohibit the deployment or construction of nuclear weapons in (a country, region, etc.).

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denuclearize British  

/ dɪˈnjuːklɪəˌraɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to deprive (a country, state, etc) of nuclear weapons

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Pronunciation

See nuclear.

Other Word Forms

• denuclearization noun

Etymology

Origin of denuclearize

First recorded in 1955–60; de- + nuclear + -ize

Example Sentences

In past years, the U.S. and South Korea had cancelled or scaled back some of their regular drills as part of diplomatic efforts to denuclearize North Korea and out of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 12, 2023

The solution proposed by the United States and supported by Russia was to denuclearize those states that had split from the former Soviet Union but still possessed nuclear weapons.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

But since taking office, Mr. Yoon has also dangled economic incentives for the North to denuclearize.

From New York Times • Aug. 17, 2022

Mr. Yoon, who was just recently elected, has sought to normalize relations with North Korea while calling for Mr. Kim to denuclearize.

From Washington Times • May 21, 2022

Talks between the two sides have stalled since last year over an inability to reconcile North Korea’s demands for relief from punishing sanctions and other concessions and U.S. demands for North Korea to denuclearize.

From Reuters • Feb. 13, 2020