disarm
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to deprive of a weapon or weapons.
-
to remove the fuze or other actuating device from.
to disarm a bomb.
-
to deprive of the means of attack or defense.
The lack of logic disarmed his argument.
-
to divest or relieve of hostility, suspicion, etc.; win the affection or approval of; charm.
His smile disarmed us.
verb (used without object)
-
to lay down one's weapons.
-
(of a country) to reduce or limit the size, equipment, armament, etc., of the army, navy, or air force.
verb
-
(tr) to remove defensive or offensive capability from (a country, army, etc)
-
(tr) to deprive of weapons
-
(tr) to remove the triggering device of (a bomb, shell, etc)
-
(tr) to win the confidence or affection of
-
(intr) (of a nation, etc) to decrease the size and capability of one's armed forces
-
(intr) to lay down weapons
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Something as simple as telling your server, “We’re excited to be here!” can help disarm cynicism and build solidarity.
The US president, whose 20-point peace plan requires the militant group to disarm, made the comments as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida for talks on Monday.
From BBC
The strategy rests on what Mr Bogad calls the "irresistible image" - often silly, it's a "disarming and charming" display that calls attention to your ideas without obviously explaining them to a viewer.
From BBC
There is a sense of national identity and this year has seen two of the most significant rebel groups drawn back into the peace process and starting to disarm and demobilise.
From BBC
Even Mr. Kuitenbrouwer is sometimes disarmingly perplexed by his reverence for all things related to maple syrup.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
