disarm

verb

dis·arm | \ dis-ˈärm

, diz-, ˈdis-ˌärm\

disarmed; disarming; disarms

Definition of disarm

transitive verb

1a : to deprive of means, reason, or disposition to be hostile disarmed criticism by admitting her errors

b : to win over

2a : 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

Other Words from disarm Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about disarm

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Synonyms & Antonyms for disarm

Synonyms

demilitarize

Antonyms

arm, militarize

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

The shooting led to protests on the campus and demands that the campus police be disarmed. — Andrew Selsky, The Seattle Times, "Testimony in police shooting reveals chaotic scene," 9 Oct. 2018 Joshua, 85-pounds to Medei’s 225, attacked from behind after his mother was disarmed, Medei testified at his 2012 hearing. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Nine years later, no trial date for Hollywood ex-boxer who killed wife and stepson," 22 June 2018 Some families have accused guards of starting the fire after one was disarmed and stabbed by a prisoner during a surprise early morning search of cells. — Mery Mogollon, latimes.com, "Most of the dead have been identified. But many questions remain about Venezuela's prison riot and fire," 30 Mar. 2018 Power plays can be disarmed and detonated through decisive wins. — Sam Donnellon, Philly.com, "Claude Giroux, Flyers formidable in faceoff circle," 16 Mar. 2018 This is to confirm that the emergency escape slides attached to the doors have been disarmed. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Former Pilot Explains 10 “Code Words” Passengers Don’t Understand," 20 Feb. 2018 That ability to neutralize and disarm her critics is one of Abrams’s superpowers. — Brittney Cooper, Marie Claire, "Stacey Abrams Is Just Getting Started," 11 Mar. 2019 Since genetic material tends to get shared between bacteria in chunks, and many genes are needed to disarm antibiotics, pathogens would be unlikely to acquire the whole package. — Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, "Bacteria That Eat Drugs Could Help Solve the Antibiotic Resistance Crisis," 8 Nov. 2018 Over the years, the Krewella sound has incorporated everything from pop to dubstep to their Pakistani roots, all with a constant thread of disarming, heart-on-sleeve honesty. — Dani Deahl, The Verge, "What’s in your bag, Krewella?," 15 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disarm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.