disarm
Americanverb (used with object)
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to deprive of a weapon or weapons.
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to remove the fuze or other actuating device from.
to disarm a bomb.
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to deprive of the means of attack or defense.
The lack of logic disarmed his argument.
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to divest or relieve of hostility, suspicion, etc.; win the affection or approval of; charm.
His smile disarmed us.
verb (used without object)
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to lay down one's weapons.
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(of a country) to reduce or limit the size, equipment, armament, etc., of the army, navy, or air force.
verb
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(tr) to remove defensive or offensive capability from (a country, army, etc)
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(tr) to deprive of weapons
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(tr) to remove the triggering device of (a bomb, shell, etc)
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(tr) to win the confidence or affection of
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(intr) (of a nation, etc) to decrease the size and capability of one's armed forces
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(intr) to lay down weapons
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing disarm
My Brother Sam is Dead
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"Say It with Flowers" and "The Journey"
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Wolf Hollow
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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.
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
Analysts said the ELN has little interest in negotiating a peace deal with Colombia’s government that would disarm the group and end its role in lucrative illegal enterprises.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
He expressed "regret" on Wednesday that international efforts had failed to disarm Iran.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026
According to prosecutors, on Saturday evening four soldiers housed at Percy Hospital had begun playing a game known within the military that involves attempting to disarm a colleague and disable their weapon.
From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026
The defeated countries had been required to disarm.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
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.
