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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

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.

But China has for years stopped short of publicly calling on the Kim regime to disarm North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 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

But their chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, has said his objective is to disarm Hezbollah, and that what was needed now above all was "persistence and patience".

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

That rhythm remained after a ceasefire took effect in late 2024, which saw Hezbollah disarm in the south and the Lebanese army take control of the area.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

I turn away, waiting to disarm my next foe.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

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