unarmed

[ uhn-ahrmd ]

adjective

1. without weapons or armor.
2. not having claws, thorns, scales, etc., as animals or plants.
3. (of an artillery shell) not armed.

unarmed

/ ʌnˈɑːmd /

adjective

1. without weapons
2. (of animals and plants) having no claws, prickles, spines, thorns, or similar structures
3. of or relating to a projectile that does not use a detonator to initiate explosive action

Word History and Origins

Origin of unarmed¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; un- ¹, armed ²

Example Sentences

The SBU’s heavily armed SWAT team breached Klepikov’s door but kept the unarmed Americans waiting outside the apartment.

From MIT Technology Review

Lawmakers last year voted to take away the police department’s $23 million annual contract with the school system to hire more than 300 unarmed private security guards at schools.

From Washington Post

He said he will do so by increasing the police force but will also increase unarmed personnel to deal with nonviolent disturbances and mental illness.

From Washington Post

The mayor plans to triple the number of unarmed officers in the police bureau, from 11 to 33, to help manage reports related to mental illness and mounting homelessness while freeing up armed police for more serious calls.

From Washington Post

The city and county government will replace their traditional police department with a civilian-led, majority unarmed Department of Community Solutions and Public Safety, which will remove armed officers from nonviolent situations.

From Time

Policemen on the show joke about prison riots, bomb threats, and the shooting of unarmed civilians.

From The Daily Beast

Just the hard-on before you shoot unarmed members of the public.

From The Daily Beast

Gunfire was exchanged and Sam, who was unarmed, was wounded.

From The Daily Beast

They still saw white policemen killing unarmed African Americans in what they perceive as cold blood and without repercussions.

From The Daily Beast

By allowing him to live, Marshal avoided the shame of killing an unarmed heir-apparent.

From The Daily Beast

Instead of being a destroyer of merchandise, this new craft was an unarmed carrier of merchandise.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of them were unarmed, but he had a formidable host in comparison to the small army opposed to him.

From Project Gutenberg

They were simply onlookers; they were unarmed, and were merely there to witness the queen's punishment.

From Project Gutenberg

The master replied: "I would not have him to act with me who will unarmed attack a tiger, or cross a river without a boat."

From Project Gutenberg

When we came to Vaimusu, the houses were very full of men, but all seemingly unarmed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• helpless
• powerless