militarize
Equip for war
To militarize is to equip with military forces or give military character to something civilian.
A government militarizes a border region by deploying troops.
Police forces become militarized when they adopt military equipment and tactics: Critics decried the militarization of local police departments.
The term often carries negative connotations, suggesting excessive or inappropriate use of military power in non-combat contexts.
Make into offensive tool
- arsenalStockpile of munitions
- munitionsMilitary weapons and ammunition
- ordnanceMilitary weapons collectively
- armamentCollective military weapons
firepower · ammunition · equip · stockpile · warhead · missile · artillery · tanks
Military personnel collectively
- soldiersMilitary personnel who fight
- infantryGround combat troops
- brigadeLarge military unit
- regimentColonel-led military unit
battalion · division · platoon · squad · garrison · legion · cadre · contingent
Reinforced subterranean stronghold
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
- strongholdFortified place of defense
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
- rampartFortified defensive wall
garrison · outpost · watchtower · checkpoint · installation · entrenchment · defensive perimeter · demilitarized zone
Mandatory military enrollment
- draftPreliminary version of text
- enlistmentVoluntary entry into service
- call-upOrder to serve
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
activation · recruitment · training · readiness · assembly · maneuvers · exercises · war footing
One's regular paid work
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
- expansionismPolicy of territorial growth
gunboat diplomacy · saber-rattling · escalation · provocation · regime change · intervention · coercion · intimidation
Elite police squad
- riot gearProtective equipment for civil disturbance
- armored vehiclesPlated military transport machines
- tactical unitsOrganized military subgroups
- crowd controlRegulating gathered masses
surveillance · curfew · checkpoints · counterterrorism · combat training
weaponize
Make into offensive tool
- arsenalStockpile of munitions
- munitionsMilitary weapons and ammunition
- ordnanceMilitary weapons collectively
armament · firepower · ammunition · equip · stockpile · warhead · missile · artillery · tanks · gunships
troops
Military personnel collectively
regiment · battalion · division · platoon · squad · garrison · legion · cadre · contingent · detachment
bunker
Reinforced subterranean stronghold
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
- strongholdFortified place of defense
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
rampart · garrison · outpost · watchtower · checkpoint · installation · entrenchment · defensive perimeter · demilitarized zone · border wall
conscription
Mandatory military enrollment
- draftPreliminary version of text
- enlistmentVoluntary entry into service
- call-upOrder to serve
deployment · activation · recruitment · training · readiness · assembly · maneuvers · exercises · war footing · troop buildup
occupation
One's regular paid work
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- annexationAbsorbing territory into jurisdiction
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
expansionism · gunboat diplomacy · saber-rattling · escalation · provocation · regime change · intervention · coercion · intimidation · territorial control
SWAT
Elite police squad
- riot gearProtective equipment for civil disturbance
- armored vehiclesPlated military transport machines
- tactical unitsOrganized military subgroups
crowd control · surveillance · curfew · checkpoints · counterterrorism · combat training
militarizedemilitarize
Remove armed forces
demilitarise · disarm · decommission · stand down · denuclearize
militarism, militarist, militaristic, militarization, militarized, militarizing, militarizes, militarise, militarised