disarm

verb

dis·​arm dis-ˈärm How to pronounce disarm (audio)
diz-,
ˈdis-ˌärm
disarmed; disarming; disarms
Synonyms of disarmnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to deprive of means, reason, or disposition to be hostile
disarmed criticism by admitting her errors
b
: to win over
2
a
: to divest of arms
disarm captured troops
b
: to deprive of a means of attack or defense
disarm a ship
c
: to make harmless
disarm a bomb

intransitive verb

1
: to lay aside arms
2
: to give up or reduce armed forces
disarmament
ˌdis-ˈär-mə-mənt How to pronounce disarm (audio)
noun
disarmer noun

Synonyms

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Examples of disarm in a Sentence

The government has been unsuccessful at disarming the rebels. The terrorists have refused to disarm. It took more than an hour to disarm the bomb.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s no better way to disarm and charm by laughing after dismantling the best player in the world, just as a 17-year-old Maria Sharapova did in the 2004 Wimbledon final against Serena Williams. — Tim Ellis, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 Julani has ordered all armed groups in the country to disarm, including the SDF. — Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Mar. 2025 The violence also points to the urgency of disarming Assad loyalists while providing a pathway to transitional justice. — Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2025 The Arab plan's document included a proposal for Palestinian governance through an independent committee of technocrats for six months but did not provide an immediate solution to disarming Hamas. — Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disarm

Word History

Etymology

Middle English desarmen, literally, to divest of arms, from Anglo-French desarmer, from des- dis- + armer to arm

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of disarm was in the 15th century

Rhymes for disarm

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Browse Nearby Words

disarm
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Cite this Entry

“Disarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disarm. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

disarm

verb
dis·​arm (ˈ)dis-ˈärm How to pronounce disarm (audio)
1
: to take weapons from
disarm a prisoner
2
: to reduce the size and strength of the armed forces of a country
3
: to make harmless, peaceable, or friendly : remove dislike or suspicion
a disarming smile
disarmament
-ˈär-mə-mənt How to pronounce disarm (audio)
noun

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