weaponization
/ˌwɛpənɪˈzeɪʃən/
Definition
The act of turning government agencies, information, or resources into tools used to attack or undermine political opponents and established institutions.
Etymology
Derived from the noun 'weapon' (from Old English 'wæpen') combined with the suffix '-ize' (to make) and '-ation' (the process of). It evolved in modern English to describe the strategic conversion of non-military assets into instruments of conflict.
In the news
In this article, the word refers to the president utilizing federal departments like the Justice Department and intelligence agencies to advance his personal claims about election fraud. It highlights how official state power is being repurposed to support a specific political narrative.
Trump Brings Full Weight of Government to Bolster False Election Claims
Read the full article ↗The New York Times