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.
Under the ceasefire agreement that ended the war in 2024, Hezbollah was meant to disarm and leave its positions in the south.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 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
He expressed "regret" on Wednesday that international efforts had failed to disarm Iran.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026
After the FARC, the largest group, agreed to disarm as part of a 2016 peace deal with Colombia, Venezuela deepened its ties with the ELN.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
“I want you to disarm the security system for Jeanine’s laboratory,” says Tobias without looking back.
From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth
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.
