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View synonyms for disarm

disarm

[ dis-ahrm ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to deprive of a weapon or weapons.
  2. to remove the fuze or other actuating device from:

    to disarm a bomb.

  3. to deprive of the means of attack or defense:

    The lack of logic disarmed his argument.

  4. to divest or relieve of hostility, suspicion, etc.; win the affection or approval of; charm:

    His smile disarmed us.



verb (used without object)

  1. to lay down one's weapons.
  2. (of a country) to reduce or limit the size, equipment, armament, etc., of the army, navy, or air force.

disarm

/ dɪsˈɑːm /

verb

  1. tr to remove defensive or offensive capability from (a country, army, etc)
  2. tr to deprive of weapons
  3. tr to remove the triggering device of (a bomb, shell, etc)
  4. tr to win the confidence or affection of
  5. intr (of a nation, etc) to decrease the size and capability of one's armed forces
  6. intr to lay down weapons


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Derived Forms

  • disˈarmer, noun

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Other Words From

  • dis·armer noun
  • undis·armed adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of disarm1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Old French word desarmer. See dis- 1, arm 2

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Example Sentences

The doctors promise that the initiative will “disarm the boundaries between psychiatry, humanities, and hip-hop culture.”

“Only the most out-of-touch radical would try to disarm soldiers,” he said in a statement Thursday.

It was deemed too risky to try to disarm or move those chemical munitions, according to these officials.

I entered as part of the invasion force sent to disarm Iraq.

At a time when North Korea threatens our allies with nuclear weapons, why would we want to unilaterally disarm our enemies?

It was with the utmost difficulty that his wiser subordinates got him to disarm the sepoy regiments in Agra itself.

The soldiers were employed to disarm the people; but they had now advanced too far to be easily reduced.

It was but a little while afterward that the Legislature passed a law to disarm all the Union men of the State.

But, notwithstanding all this, their rule was brief; they were unable to disarm the spirit of hostility.

It is a far better and braver thing to bear bullying with such a mixture of spirit and good-humour, as in time to disarm it.

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