weaponize

/ˈwepənaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwepənaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwe-pə-ˌnīz How to pronounce weaponize (audio)/ (ame, mw)

weaponize — 動詞

  • weaponizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • weaponizeshe / she / it
  • weaponizedpast simple
  • weaponizing-ing form

1. to change harmful biological or chemical substances — such as bacteria, viruses,

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

製成武器

把細菌、病毒等生物或化學物質變成武器

to change harmful biological or chemical substances — such as bacteria, viruses, or toxic compounds — into weapons designed to kill or seriously injure large groups of people

例句

A team of UN inspectors found no evidence the lab weaponized anthrax for military use.

聯合國的一個調查小組並未發現該實驗室將炭疽桿菌製成武器用於軍事用途的證據。

active: weaponized + [biological agent] + for [purpose]

During the Cold War, both superpowers spent billions trying to weaponize smallpox and other viruses.

冷戰期間，兩大強權都投入數十億美元，試圖將天花等病毒製成武器。

collocation: weaponize + [disease / virus / toxin]

同義詞
  • convert into a weapon

    longer, more literal phrase that explains the process step by step rather than using a single verb

  • militarize

    broader — can mean adapting anything (technology, resources, territory) for military use, not just turning substances into weapons

反義詞
  • demilitarize

    opposite — to remove military capability or purpose from something

  • disarm

    focused on eliminating weapons rather than the process of creating them

文法句型

weaponize + biological/chemical agent

be weaponized + for + purpose

用法筆記

Almost always used in formal or technical contexts discussing biological or chemical warfare. The passive form (be weaponized) is common, especially in reports about treaty compliance.

常見錯誤

❌The army weaponized their tanks for the battle.
✅The army weaponized the chemical compound for use on the battlefield.
💡weaponize means to convert a substance into a weapon, not to deploy an existing weapon.

2. to take information, language, personal records, or a situation and use it delib

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

武器化

將資訊、言論等當作攻擊手段

to take information, language, personal records, or a situation and use it deliberately to attack, discredit, or harm another person or group, especially in political or public contexts

例句

During the election campaign, both parties tried to weaponize the leaked emails against their rivals.

選舉期間，兩大政黨都想方設法將外洩的電子郵件武器化，用來打擊對手。

figurative: weaponize + [documents / information] + against + [target]

The senator accused her opponent of weaponizing immigration statistics to scare voters.

那位參議員指控對手將移民統計數據武器化，藉此恐嚇選民。

同義詞
  • exploit

    broader — can be neutral or positive; does not necessarily imply hostile intent toward a person

  • turn against

    more informal, phrasal verb equivalent; often used in everyday conversation

  • manipulate

    focuses on controlling or distorting a situation for one's own advantage rather than using it directly as a weapon

文法句型

weaponize + information/records/system

be weaponized + against + target

用法筆記

This figurative sense is common in political and media commentary. The target of the attack is typically introduced with the preposition against. The subject is often a person, group, or institution rather than a government or military force.

常見錯誤

❌She weaponized a hammer to break the door.
✅She weaponized her opponent's past statements during the debate.
💡the figurative sense involves using information or situations as weapons, not physical objects.