disarm

American  

[dis-ahrm] / dɪsˈɑrm /

verb (used with object)

1. to deprive of a weapon or weapons.

2. to remove the fuze or other actuating device from.

   to disarm a bomb.

3. to deprive of the means of attack or defense.

   The lack of logic disarmed his argument.

4. to divest or relieve of hostility, suspicion, etc.; win the affection or approval of; charm.

   His smile disarmed us.

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verb (used without object)

1. to lay down one's weapons.

2. (of a country) to reduce or limit the size, equipment, armament, etc., of the army, navy, or air force.

disarm British  

/ dɪsˈɑːm /

verb

1. (tr) to remove defensive or offensive capability from (a country, army, etc)

2. (tr) to deprive of weapons

3. (tr) to remove the triggering device of (a bomb, shell, etc)

4. (tr) to win the confidence or affection of

5. (intr) (of a nation, etc) to decrease the size and capability of one's armed forces

6. (intr) to lay down weapons

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Other Word Forms

• disarmer
  noun
• undisarmed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of disarm

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Old French word desarmer. See dis- ¹, arm ²

Explanation

When you disarm someone, you take their weapons away from them. An archery instructor might, for example, disarm a student if he wasn't handling his bow and arrow carefully. To disarm is to remove a gun, knife — or any kind of weapon — from someone's hands, or from a group of people. A government might work to disarm a rebel group, for example, and police officers sometimes offer to pay money for guns in an attempt to disarm citizens. You can also use the verb to mean "win someone over," like when you disarm a cranky store cashier with your friendly smile. Disarm has an Old French root word, desarmer.

Example Sentences

Disarm, the fourth-place finisher in the Derby, was not entered in the Preakness and instead will be pointed toward the Jim Dandy Stakes and Travers Stakes, both at Saratoga in upstate New York.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2023

Disarm, Hit Show, Cyclone Mischief - who got in on Thursday after Practical Move was scratched - and Rocket Can are listed as 30-1.

From Washington Times • May 5, 2023

Ghaani’s demands were two-fold: Disarm the bases of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq, and fortify the porous borders with Iraqi troops to prevent infiltration.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2022

Multiple sources tell Fox News the Disarm Hate Act is ready to go to the floor.

From Fox News • Aug. 4, 2019

Lupin was reminding him of the sneering Hufflepuff Zacharias Smith, who had jeered at Harry for wanting to teach Dumbledore’s Army how to Disarm.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• deactivate
• demilitarize
• demobilize
• disband
• neutralize
• occupy
• subdue