weaponize
Turn into armament
To weaponize something is to adapt it for use as a weapon or turn it into a means of attack.
Military programs weaponize biological agents or nuclear material.
Figuratively, anything can be weaponized—information, social media, legal processes: They weaponized the court system to bankrupt their opponents.
The term implies deliberate transformation of something neutral or benign into something harmful.
Collective military weapons
- arsenalStockpile of munitions
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- munitionsMilitary weapons and ammunition
- ordnanceMilitary weapons collectively
combat-ready · mobilization · tactical · warfare · fortification · garrison · doctrine · readiness
Make into political matter
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- deployPosition for use
- mobilizeOrganize for action
twist · distort · spin · inflame · provoke · antagonize · polarize · radicalize
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- narrativeAccount of events
- psyopsStrategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
deepfake · polarization · radicalization · conspiracy · meme · viral · amplification · censorship
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- threatIndication of potential harm
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
sanctions · embargo · pressure · deterrence · fearmongering · manipulation · bullying · retaliation
Disease-causing microorganism
- toxinBiological-origin harm agent
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- droneUnmanned flying machine
algorithm · surveillance · nanotechnology · cyberattack · propaganda · disinformation · radiation · chemical
armament
Collective military weapons
- arsenalStockpile of munitions
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- munitionsMilitary weapons and ammunition
ordnance · combat-ready · mobilization · tactical · warfare · fortification · garrison · doctrine · readiness · logistics
politicize
Make into political matter
mobilize · twist · distort · spin · inflame · provoke · antagonize · polarize · radicalize · incite
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- narrativeAccount of events
psyops · deepfake · polarization · radicalization · conspiracy · meme · viral · amplification · censorship · leak
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- threatIndication of potential harm
ultimatum · sanctions · embargo · pressure · deterrence · fearmongering · manipulation · bullying · retaliation · coercion
pathogen
Disease-causing microorganism
- toxinBiological-origin harm agent
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
drone · algorithm · surveillance · nanotechnology · cyberattack · propaganda · disinformation · radiation · chemical · biological
vulnerability
Openness to harm
- zero-dayUnpatched security vulnerability
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- hackingInfiltrating protected digital systems
ransomware · backdoor · botnet · phishing · spyware · DDoS · cyberweapon · payload · breach · infiltration
- sci-fi verbsteleport, warp, beam up, time travel, hyperdrive
weaponizedisarm
Remove capacity to harm
defuse · neutralize · deactivate · disable · decommission
weaponizedemilitarize
Remove armed forces
disarm · decommission · denuclearize · stand down · deescalate
- weaponized dronesArmed unmanned aerial vehicles
- weaponized virus
weaponized, weaponizes, weaponizing, weaponise, weaponised, weaponises, weaponising