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definitions

militarize

[ mil-i-tuh-rahyz ]
/ ˈmɪl ɪ təˌraɪz /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR militarize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), mil·i·ta·rized, mil·i·ta·riz·ing.

to equip with armed forces, military supplies, or the like.
to make military.
to imbue with militarism.

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RELATED WORDS

impel, activate, propel, prepare, muster, gather, actuate, drive, rally, assemble, organize, equip, ready, mobilize, animate, marshal, circulate, catalyze

Nearby words

  1. militantly,
  2. militaria,
  3. militarism,
  4. militarist,
  5. militaristic,
  6. militarized,
  7. military,
  8. military academy,
  9. military attaché,
  10. military brush
Also especially British, mil·i·ta·rise.

Origin of militarize

First recorded in 1875–80; militar(y) + -ize
Related formsmil·i·ta·ri·za·tion, nounre·mil·i·ta·ri·za·tion, nounre·mil·i·ta·rize, verb (used with object), re·mil·i·ta·rized, re·mil·i·ta·riz·ing.un·mil·i·ta·rized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for militarize

British Dictionary definitions for militarize

militarize

militarise

/ (ˈmɪlɪtəˌraɪz) /

verb (tr)

to convert to military use
to imbue with militarism
Derived Formsmilitarization or militarisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012