militarization

/ˌmɪlɪtəraɪˈzeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmɪlɪtərəˈzeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa)

militarization — noun

1. the process by which a country, institution, or part of society begins to follow

1.名詞C1
釋義

the process by which a country, institution, or part of society begins to follow army-style rules, values, or organization.

例句

Critics warned that the border agency's militarization was changing how officers treated families.

militarization of an institution changes daily conduct

Jude wrote his thesis on the militarization of space research during the Cold War.

同義詞
  • armament

    focuses more narrowly on obtaining weapons rather than changing the whole system

  • hardening

    more general; can describe becoming stricter or more severe without a military structure

  • securitization

    more academic; emphasizes treating an issue as a security threat

反義詞

文法句型

militarization of [institution/society]

rapid militarization

用法筆記

Usually describes a broad change in culture, leadership, or decision-making, not just the arrival of a few soldiers. Common subjects include schools, politics, technology, borders, and public institutions.

常見錯誤

❌The company's militarization just means it hired more guards.
✅The company's militarization means it adopted army-style command and discipline.
💡militarization is a wider structural change, not simply adding security staff.

2. the shift in which a police force takes on combat-style equipment, training, or

2.名詞C2
釋義

the shift in which a police force takes on combat-style equipment, training, or behavior, so it resembles soldiers more than ordinary civilian officers.

例句

The report blamed police militarization for turning peaceful marches into tense confrontations.

police militarization affects crowd control

Diya questioned the town's police militarization after armored vehicles appeared downtown.

同義詞
  • paramilitarization

    stronger and more technical; often suggests a force organized almost like the military

  • weaponization

    narrower; emphasizes heavier equipment rather than the whole policing model

反義詞

文法句型

police militarization

militarization of the police

用法筆記

This sense is narrower than sense 1 because it refers only to policing. It often appears in debates about riot gear, armored vehicles, military-grade weapons, and how officers deal with civilians during protests or raids.

常見錯誤

❌Police militarization means the police are working harder.
✅Police militarization means the force is using military-style equipment or tactics.
💡the word refers to army-like policing, not to effort.

3. the sending of troops and military vehicles into a place, especially to control

3.名詞C1
釋義

the sending of troops and military vehicles into a place, especially to control it, protect it, or prepare for conflict.

例句

Sana covered the militarization of the island as more troops arrived at the main port.

militarization of a place means troops are sent in

The sudden militarization of the border frightened farmers on both sides.

同義詞
  • deployment

    more neutral and often official; focuses on the act of sending forces

  • buildup

    emphasizes a growing military presence over time

反義詞

文法句型

militarization of [region/border/island]

sudden militarization

用法筆記

This sense focuses on armed forces entering or filling a specific place. It is common in news writing about borders, islands, disputed regions, and emergency responses.

常見錯誤

❌The city's militarization began when two officers visited the mayor.
✅The city's militarization began when troops and military vehicles entered the streets.
💡this sense refers to the movement of armed forces into an area.