disarm 1 of 2

verb

dis-ˈärm How to pronounce disarm (audio)
Definition of disarmnext
1
as in to demilitarize
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

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2
as in to appease
to lessen the anger or agitation of her future father-in-law was totally disarmed by her easy charm

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disarmament

2 of 2

noun

as in demilitarization
the reduction or elimination of a country's armed forces or weapons the ambassador spoke at length about the possible unilateral disarmament of his country

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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 disarm
Verb
There is a warmth and disarming openness to everyday American life that visitors speak about again and again—a generosity of spirit that seems increasingly rare in a world lived through screens and algorithms. — Divia Thani, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 As a result, Skywalkers hovers between a sense of constant performance and disarming immediacy — the latter generally during the many vertigo-inducing drone shots of Ivan and Angela’s hair-raising accomplishments. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Noun
Nuclear disarmament obligations must be fulfilled completely and verifiably. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 But an agreement signed last week between the Israeli and Lebanese governments to end the fighting in southern Lebanon links Israel's removal of forces from the area with Hezbollah's disarmament. — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disarm
  1. demilitarize
  2. appease
  3. demobilize
Verb
  • Even during the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union worked together on a wide range of issues, including a joint effort to spearhead the Antarctic Treaty, which has kept Antarctica demilitarized and facilitated scientific advancements at the Earth’s other pole.
    — David Balton, The Conversation, 15 June 2026
  • Under the 1979 treaty, the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula bordering southern Israel was largely demilitarized.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Definition of demilitarize
Verb
  • But in recent months, the movie has become the subject of an ongoing culture war clash over what some on the right see as historical inaccuracies and casting choices designed to appease the left.
    — Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 8 July 2026
  • There’s been potential discrepancies and a few ballots the machines have declined, but the board has unanimously voted to just make duplicates of those ballots with the same result, appeasing the tabulators.
    — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 July 2026
Definition of appease
Verb
  • Kevan Harris, an associate professor of sociology at UCLA who has studied the Iranian diaspora, said some of the ardently monarchist Iranians became disillusioned and demobilized when the war’s initial objective of regime change failed.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
  • The bet was that engaging with several forces at the same time would avoid power vacuums that are quickly filled when one group demobilizes.
    — Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
Definition of demobilize

Browse Nearby Words

disapproving (of)
disarm
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Cite this Entry

“Disarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disarm. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disarm

Nglish: Translation of disarm for Spanish Speakers

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