Meaning & use
weaponizing
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“weaponizing” is a form of “weaponize”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitivemilitary
-ing form of weaponize: turning something into a weapon, or adapting it for use in warfare or attack.
Grammar: Takes an object: weaponizing a virus.
Patterns
- weaponizing something
Treaties ban nations from weaponizing diseases.
The company was accused of weaponizing drones for the army.
Scientists feared weaponizing the technology.
verbtransitivefigurativedisapproving
-ing form of weaponize: using something such as information, trade or a legal rule as a tool to harm or pressure an opponent.
Grammar: Figurative, often critical: weaponizing the truth.
Patterns
- weaponizing something against someone
Critics accused him of weaponizing the courts against his rivals.
Some countries are weaponizing energy supplies in the dispute.
Weaponizing personal secrets online is cruel.
Word forms
| base form | weaponize |
|---|---|
| third person singular | weaponizes |
| past tense | weaponized |
Common combinations
- weaponizing information
- The group was accused of weaponizing information to confuse voters.
- weaponizing trade
- Weaponizing trade can hurt both countries.
- weaponizing technology
- They oppose weaponizing technology that can think for itself.
- weaponizing social media
- Weaponizing social media has changed political campaigns.
- accused of weaponizing
- The agency was accused of weaponizing personal data.
Synonyms and how they differ
- arming
- Arming means supplying weapons, while weaponizing means turning something else into a weapon.
- exploiting
- Exploiting means taking advantage of something and is milder than weaponizing.
- militarizing
- Militarizing means giving something a military character or presence, and is wider than turning one thing into a weapon.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: weaponizing or weaning?
weaponizing vs weaning
Weaning means gradually stopping feeding a baby or animal milk, and is only similar in sound.
Practice
Critics said the minister was ___ food supplies to pressure a rival country.
Choose one answer.
Weaponizing means using something as a tool of pressure or attack. Rationing means limiting supplies fairly, which does not suggest using them against someone.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “weaponizing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.