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Definition of disarmingnext
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disarming

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verb

present participle of disarm
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as in demilitarizing
to reduce the size and strength of the armed forces of the defeated nation was disarmed so that it would never again be a threat to international order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disarming
Adjective
This will be both disarming and believable, allowing your daughter to propose times that are both far off and inconvenient. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2022 What follows instead is a pivotal listen that conveys trauma in an assured yet disarming way. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 8 Dec. 2021 Then check out the work of Danielle Perez, who delivers jokes about the heaviest of subjects with a breezy openness that’s totally disarming. Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2021 Garments can be gorgeous, disarming, and take your breath away. BostonGlobe.com, 15 Oct. 2021 These are the results when officers choose to draw their most disarming weapon: compassion. Steve Hartman, CBS News, 6 June 2021
Verb
Pretti was armed with a handgun, but video from the confrontation appears to contradict the administration’s narrative, and appears to show an officer disarming him before he is shot and killed. Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 The next phase of the 20-point ceasefire plan calls for creating an international stabilization force, forming a technocratic Palestinian government and disarming Hamas. CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026 The ceasefire’s second phase also calls for deploying an international security force, disarming Hamas, pulling back Israeli soldiers and rebuilding Gaza. Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 Assisted by the low, somber strings of Oliver Coates’ score and the clean, crisp brightness of Judith Kaufmann’s lensing, Volpe directs with much the same simplicity and moderation, toward a pitch-perfect ending of wholly disarming terseness and economy. Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026 There’s something about laughter that’s just naturally disarming and puts us at ease. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 The thorniest issue is expected to be disarming Hamas. Jordana Miller, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026 By pressing on with the second phase of the ceasefire, Washington and its mediator partners will need to tackle the vexing challenges of disarming Hamas, further Israeli withdrawal tied to the disarmament and deploying an international peacekeeping force. Reuters, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026 Part of what Glaser is best at is disarming celebrities by emphasizing their fame gap without sacrificing her actual punchlines. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disarming
Adjective
  • To wrap up 2025 and her first full year as a pro athlete, Clark shared a collage of pictures, including an adorable one with her boyfriend.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
  • This crystal-clear waterway is home to multiple species of fish, including rainbow trout and the (adorable) arroyo chub.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Sea to Summit trail takes you to the Malahat Skywalk for views across the region, hiking through old-growth rainforest and lunch in the charming seaside community of Cowichan Bay.
    Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
  • The hotel is a 10-minute drive from the charming, sleepy beach town of Isabela, 30 minutes from Rafael Hernandez International airport in Aguadilla, and an hour and 45 minutes from San Juan.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That being said, with a more conciliatory tone, markets have responded positively.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Lithuania's Kristupas Vaitiekunas took a more conciliatory approach.
    Kamil Kowalcze, Arkansas Online, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The details of a temporary security force in charge of demilitarizing Gaza and training a new Palestinian police force are under discussion as part of the work on the resolution, according to the source.
    Eugenia Yosef, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Trump holds the cards for success or failure in demilitarizing Gaza and deradicalizing the Palestinians.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Parents are questioning whether four years and six figures are worth it, especially as campuses are increasingly overtaken by chaos, radical activism, and administrators more concerned with appeasing ideological mobs than educating students.
    Riley Gaines OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
  • And yet, beneath the veil of politeness, there was rhetoric from the US president that suggests his default position in negotiations is still to pressure Kyiv, while appeasing Moscow.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • After an excellent pitch from Tommy, Gallino upped his investment in CTT, but has already threatened harm to those Tommy holds dear if the company doesn’t hold up its end of the bargain.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Gwyneth Paltrow is remembering her dear friend, legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino, who died Monday in Rome at 93.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Sweeney stars as Penny Jo, a South Dakota diner waitress with an appealing smile, an ingratiating stammer, a scarf in her hair, and deep reserves of ruthless ambition.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Still, on a moment-to-moment basis, the film has tension, strong character dynamics and sharp individual portraits whose astringency gets alleviated by Gottsagen and James’ more ingratiating turns.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In a social, psychological context, Masli is a facilitator, a quirky social worker with a golden leg for an arm, an upswept hairstyle that’s half hair and half hat, a makeshift blue gown that might’ve once been a blanket and a soft-spoken soothing presence.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Being loved does not always feel soothing.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disarming. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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