unarmed

adjective

un·​armed ˌən-ˈärmd How to pronounce unarmed (audio)
Synonyms of unarmednext
1
: not armed or armored
unarmed civilians
also : not using or involving a weapon
unarmed robbery
2
: having no hard and sharp projections (such as spines, spurs, or claws)

Examples of unarmed in a Sentence

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 California Attorney General’s office is investigating the incident under a statute that requires it to look into cases where a police officer kills an unarmed person. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026 The combatants rolled into the saloon with neither getting the upper hand until Fossett managed to pull his pistol and put four shots into the unarmed Carver. Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026 The country’s criminal code explicitly guarantees detainees access to legal counsel, and the Islamic Republic’s constitution recognizes peaceful, unarmed protest as a basic citizen right. Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026 The prosecutor said Chairez-Campos pumped multiple rounds into the unarmed victim’s body before making a move to flee and then returning to shoot him one more time in the head, Gennawey said. City News Service, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unarmed

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unarmed was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unarmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unarmed. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

unarmed

adjective
un·​armed ˌən-ˈärmd How to pronounce unarmed (audio)
ˈən-
: not armed or armored
unarmed civilians
also : not using or involving a weapon
unarmed robbery

Medical Definition

unarmed

adjective
un·​armed ˌən-ˈärmd How to pronounce unarmed (audio)
: having no arms or armlike projections
an unarmed tapeworm

More from Merriam-Webster on unarmed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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