weaponize

American  

[wep-uh-nahyz] / ˈwɛp əˌnaɪz /

verb (used with object)

weaponized, weaponizing

1. to supply or equip with a weapon or weapons.

   to weaponize trucks and helicopters.

2. to develop (a chemical, microorganism, etc.) for use as a weapon, as in biological warfare.

   to weaponize uranium;

   weaponized anthrax.

3. to use as a means to gain a powerful advantage.

   She has been known to weaponize her femininity.

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weaponize British  

/ ˈwɛpəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to adapt (a chemical, bacillus, etc) in such a way that it can be used as a weapon

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Other Word Forms

• weaponization noun

Etymology

Origin of weaponize

First recorded in 1955–60; weapon ( def. ) + -ize ( def. )

Example Sentences

With more agentic capabilities comes an elevated threat landscape, as bad actors can now weaponize AI to launch attacks with unprecedented speed and magnitude.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 14, 2026

“Founders and investors have the ability to weaponize a startup’s balance sheet and make these huge investments at huge valuations to try to anoint a winner and suck all the air out of the room.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Today, Venezuela lacks the ability to disrupt global energy flows or weaponize supply in the way larger producers can.

From Barron's • Jan. 3, 2026

To design, construct, weaponize, and deploy a much larger ship based on an entirely new concept would likely take a decade.

From Slate • Dec. 23, 2025

The machines are “a deliberate choice by a multi billion dollar corporation that absolutely knew what it was doing and chose to weaponize sound literally,” said Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the city’s first district.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025