What does "disarm" mean?
The act of depriving a person of a weapon they carry.
Disarm
/dɪsˈɑɹm/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of depriving a person of a weapon they carry.
- Grammar: disarm is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: demilitarize, unarm, allay, allure.
- Useful contrasts: alarming, armored, armoured.
- Usage evidence: How are you going to disarm Tom?
How to use "disarm"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "disarm" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "disarm" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "disarm" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "disarm" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "disarm" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "demilitarize" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "disarm", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of depriving a person of a weapon they carry.
"As a brief background, the gun disarms originally taught to S.A.C. Airmen as part of the Combative Measures program were taken from Kodokan Goshin-Jutsu."
Verb
- 1 To deprive of weapons; to deprive of the means of attack or defense; to render defenseless. transitive
"[recreation of speech given in 1775] They tell us, sir, […] that we are weak―unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? […] Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and a British guard shall be stationed in every house?"
- 2 remove offensive capability from wordnet
- 3 To deprive of the means or the disposition to harm; to render harmless or innocuous. transitive
"to disarm a man's wrath"
- 4 take away the weapons from; render harmless wordnet
- 5 To lay down arms; to stand down. intransitive
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 make less hostile; win over wordnet
- 7 To reduce one's own military forces. intransitive
- 8 To render into a state in which something is no longer armed, or prepared for use (such as to disable the security systems on). transitive
"You can open and close all the doors you want during this delay. Just keep in mind that if you have to re-enter, and it has been close to a minute, you may want to disarm and then re-arm just to be on the safe side."
Example
"How are you going to disarm Tom?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "disarm"?
Common synonyms include: demilitarize, unarm, allay, allure, appease, attract.
How do you use "disarm" in a sentence?
How are you going to disarm Tom?
How do you pronounce "disarm"?
Pronounced /dɪsˈɑɹm/.
Etymology
From Middle English desarmen (“to divest of arms”), from Anglo-Norman desarmer.