weaponise

IPA/ˈwep.ən.aɪz/
IPA/ˈwep.ən.aɪz/

weaponise — 動詞

  • 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

作為攻擊工具

將日常事物變成攻擊他人的手段

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.

Minh 認為政府在選舉期間將社群媒體演算法作為攻擊工具來散播恐懼。

weaponised + [technology/platform] — political manipulation context

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

Ignacio 的對手在市長辯論中將他十年前的稅務疏失作為攻擊工具。

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

常見搭配
  • weaponise information
  • weaponise personal data
  • weaponise the law
  • weaponise social media
  • weaponise fear
  • weaponise technology
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

製成武器

將病菌或毒素轉為大規模殺傷武器

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.

Castillo 將軍的政權將炭疽孢子製成武器，裝入砲彈中。

weaponised + [biological agent] — literal military context

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

冷戰期間，兩個超級大國都在秘密研究如何將天花病毒製成武器。

weaponise + [virus name] — Cold War historical context

常見搭配
  • weaponise a virus
  • weaponise anthrax
  • weaponise a pathogen
  • weaponise a toxin
  • weaponise bacteria
  • extract and weaponise
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.

同根字

常見搭配

副詞搭配

  • deliberately weaponise
  • effectively weaponise

常用片語

  • weaponise something against someone
  • be weaponised by
  • be used to weaponise

介系詞搭配

  • weaponise against