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

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

“We don’t insist that North Korea should first denuclearize completely before we will do anything,” Mr. Yoon said in a news conference on Wednesday.

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

U.S.-led diplomacy aimed at convincing North Korea to denuclearize in return for economic and political benefits largely has stalled since 2019.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2022

Moon, who has been active in trying to engage with North Korea throughout his presidency, has argued that such a declaration would encourage North Korea to give up to denuclearize.

From Reuters • Sep. 21, 2021