weaponise

IPA/ˈwep.ən.aɪz/
IPA/ˈwep.ən.aɪz/

weaponise — verb

  • weaponisepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • weaponises3rd person singular
  • weaponising-ing form
  • weaponisedpast simple

1. to take something ordinary or harmless — such as a piece of information, a law,

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to take something ordinary or harmless — such as a piece of information, a law, or everyday technology — and deliberately turn it into a tool for attacking or damaging a person, group, or institution

例句

Minh argued that the government had weaponised social media algorithms to spread fear during the election.

weaponised + [technology/platform] — political manipulation context

Ignacio's opponent weaponised his ten-year-old tax mistake during the mayoral debate.

weaponised + [personal information] — personal attack in political context

同義詞
  • exploit

    broader and weaker — implies taking unfair advantage but not necessarily transforming something neutral into a weapon

  • instrumentalise

    more formal and abstract; used mainly in philosophy and political theory; emphasises treating something as a mere instrument

  • co-opt

    implies taking over or appropriating something, often through subtle manoeuvring rather than direct attack

文法句型

weaponise + [something ordinarily harmless]

weaponise + [something] + against + [someone/something]

be weaponised (passive)

be weaponised + by + [agent] + to + [harmful purpose]

用法筆記

This is now the dominant sense, far more common than sense 2 since the early 2000s, especially in political journalism, technology reporting, and social commentary. Subject is often an institution, government, corporation, or individual; object is something not inherently harmful. Frequently passive (is being weaponised).

常見錯誤

❌She weaponised her intelligence to get a promotion.
✅She used her intelligence to get a promotion.
💡Weaponising implies turning something neutral into a means of attack or harm; using a personal strength to advance yourself is not an attack.
❌The journalist weaponised the facts in her article.
✅The journalist presented the facts in her article.
💡Weaponising suggests a deliberate intent to harm, not simply reporting or using information.

2. to change a virus, bacterium, or toxic chemical so that it can be used as a weap

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to change a virus, bacterium, or toxic chemical so that it can be used as a weapon to cause death or illness on a large scale

例句

General Castillo's regime weaponised anthrax spores and loaded them into artillery shells.

weaponised + [biological agent] — literal military context

During the Cold War, both superpowers secretly researched how to weaponise the smallpox virus.

weaponise + [virus name] — Cold War historical context

同義詞
  • militarise

    broader — refers to equipping anything for military use, not only biological agents

文法句型

weaponise + [biological/chemical agent]

be weaponised (passive)

weaponise + [agent] + into + [weapon form]

用法筆記

This is the original, narrower sense of the word, originating in military and intelligence contexts. Subject is usually a state, regime, or research programme. Distinguish from sense 1 (EXPLOIT AS ATTACK TOOL): here the resulting weapon causes physical harm through biological or chemical means.

常見錯誤

❌The general weaponised his army's better training to win the battle.
✅The general exploited his army's better training to win the battle.
💡Sense 2 is specifically about turning biological or chemical agents into weapons, not about using any military advantage.
❌The lab weaponised a new vaccine against the virus.
✅The lab weaponised the virus itself, not the vaccine.
💡Weaponising means making something harmful into a weapon; a vaccine is protective, not a weapon.