Disarm - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Disarm means to remove weapons or reduce hostility, either physically by taking away arms or emotionally by easing tension. It can also mean to make someone less suspicious or defensive.
Definition:
To remove weapons or reduce military forces, or to make someone less hostile or defensive.
Synonyms:
demilitarize, neutralize, pacify
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
arm, fortify
Common Collocations:
disarm a bomb, disarm an opponent, disarm suspicions
Derivatives:
disarming, disarmed, disarms
Usage Tips:
Use 'disarm' literally for removing weapons or figuratively to describe reducing tension or hostility.
Common Phrases:
charm to disarm, disarm with a smile, disarm the opposition
Etymology:
From Old French 'desarmer', from Latin 'dis-' (reverse) + 'arma' (weapons).
Examples:
- 1. The soldier worked quickly to disarm the explosive device.
- 2. Her kind words helped disarm his anger during the argument.
- 3. The treaty aimed to disarm both nations and promote peace.
- 4. A genuine smile can often disarm even the toughest critics.