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 of disarm

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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.
The Reds demonstrate their incompetence once again by allowing Reacher and Green to disarm them and start swinging. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 Elwood’s conversations with CNN were peppered with alarming stories and punctuated by his broad, disarming laugh. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Members of the crowd immediately took Czolgosz down, disarming him and beating him so aggressively that police had to intervene to save his life. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 News of Parton’s death brought an outpouring of grief across the Bay Area, where fans remembered her landmark performances, disarming humor and rare ability to make millions of admirers feel personally connected to her. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 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

disapprovingly
disarm
disarmament
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Cite this Entry

“Disarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disarm. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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