Synonyms

disarm

American

[dis-ahrm] / dɪsˈɑrm /

verb (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.

disarm British

/ dɪsˈɑːm /

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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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.

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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.

Rubio meanwhile said in a statement that the agreement establishes a "clear and structured process" to disarm Hezbollah and its infrastructure, as well as a US-facilitated military working group to help implement the deal.

From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026

But the Clement filing is genuinely consequential, and not just because it might disarm Carr’s primary regulatory weapon if it survives judicial review.

From Salon • May 13, 2026

Israeli security officials said they see a genuine desire in the Lebanese government and military to disarm Hezbollah.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Lebanon's government has vowed to disarm Hezbollah, which was created in the 1980s in response to Israel's occupation of Lebanon during the 15-year Lebanese civil war.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Both Ron and Hermione had tried to disarm Snape at exactly the same moment.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023