verb
disarm
dis-ARM/dɪsˈɑːrm/
To remove the means or readiness to cause harm.
The officer disarms the man by removing the handgun from his holster.
Etymology
The prefix reverses the act of arming: someone furnished with weapons is deprived of them. The same idea also supported the early figurative sense “render harmless.”
In context
a really cool move to disarm your opponent but they did it to each other at the same time so all they really did was switch the guns
More examples
- The technician carefully disarms the explosive device.
- Both sides agree to disarm before peace talks begin.
- Her warm smile disarms even the most suspicious visitors.
Forms
disarm · disarms · disarmed · disarming
disarmament noun — The reduction or removal of weapons.
disarming adjective — Reducing suspicion or hostility through charm.
Similar words
- defuse
- Specifically makes explosives safe or reduces tension in situations.
- neutralize
- Makes a threat ineffective, without necessarily removing weapons.