denuclearize

[ dee-noo-klee-uh-rahyz, -nyoo-or, by metathesis, -kyuh-luh- ]

verb (used with object)

, de·nu·cle·ar·ized, de·nu·cle·ar·iz·ing.

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.).

denuclearize

/ dɪˈnjuːklɪəˌraɪz /

verb

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

Pronunciation Note

See nuclear.

Derived Forms

• deˌnucleariˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• de·nucle·ar·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of denuclearize¹

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

Example Sentences

“The sad truth is that international trend lines point toward a North Korea that may feel it is less dependent on the need to denuclearize. … For now, at least, they have ideological bedfellows who will be a little bit less demanding and a little bit more conducive to North Korea‘s diplomatic and national security goals,” he said.

From Washington Times

Yoon said China must put forth “constructive efforts to denuclearize North Korea” if the North continues its banned missile tests.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Yoon said South Korea would start providing economic incentives immediately if the North began serious negotiations to denuclearize.

From New York Times

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

Yoon said he isn’t demanding North Korea to completely denuclearize upfront, but appeared to set a high bar for talks, citing inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency as an example of the steps the North should take in order to receive economic benefits.

From Washington Times