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Disarm Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disarm

[dɪsˈɑːm ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

military

To take weapons away from someone or a group of people.

Synonyms

deactivate, demilitarize, neutralize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disarm

Used when you want to remove weapons from a person, group, or country, often in peacekeeping or demilitarization contexts.

  • The peacekeepers were sent to disarm the rebels.
  • After the treaty, both countries agreed to disarm.
demilitarize

Used when you want to remove military forces or capabilities from a certain area, often following a conflict.

  • The area became a demilitarized zone after the ceasefire.
  • The government plans to demilitarize the region to ensure peace.
deactivate

Used when you want to make something inactive or stop it from functioning, commonly in reference to bombs, machinery, or electronic devices.

  • The bomb squad was able to deactivate the explosive device.
  • You can deactivate the alarm using this code.
neutralize

Used when you want to prevent something from being effective or neutralize a threat, often in military or strategic contexts.

  • The agents were able to neutralize the threat before it reached the public.
  • They used diplomatic means to neutralize the opponent's influence.

Examples of usage

  • The government has agreed to disarm rebel forces.
  • The police disarmed the suspect without incident.
Context #2 | Verb

security

To remove the fuse or other source of ignition from (a bomb).

Synonyms

deactivate, defuse, disable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disarm

Used when talking about removing weapons or making someone less aggressive or hostile.

  • The soldiers were instructed to disarm the rebels.
  • Her smile managed to disarm his anger.
defuse

Used mainly when talking about preventing a dangerous situation from becoming worse, such as with bombs or tense situations.

  • The bomb squad managed to defuse the explosive device.
  • The negotiator was called in to defuse the hostage situation.
deactivate

Used in situations involving turning off or stopping the function of a device or system, typically machines or electronic devices.

  • You need to enter the code to deactivate the alarm system.
  • The app allows you to deactivate notifications.
disable

Used when referring to making something unable to operate, often related to technology, mechanisms, or functions. This term can have a negative connotation.

  • Hackers tried to disable the security systems of the website.
  • I accidentally disabled the touchpad on my laptop.

Examples of usage

  • The bomb squad was called to disarm the explosive device.
Context #3 | Noun

general

The reduction of military forces and weapons.

Synonyms

deactivation, demilitarization.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disarm

Used when removing weapons from someone or something, often in a physical or immediate sense. It can also mean to take away someone's ability to be angry or defensive.

  • The police had to disarm the suspect to ensure everyone's safety.
  • She managed to disarm her critics with her calm and logical explanation.
demilitarization

Typically used in political or military contexts to describe the process of reducing or eliminating a country's military forces or offensive capabilities.

  • The treaty resulted in the demilitarization of the border region.
  • Demilitarization is a key component of the peace agreement.
deactivation

Refers to rendering something inactive or turning off a mechanism, typically used in technical, mechanical, or electronic contexts.

  • The security system requires a code for deactivation.
  • Deactivation of the bomb required expert knowledge.

Examples of usage

  • The treaty called for the disarmament of both countries.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • Disarming has been a common practice in treaties to reduce conflict, notably seen in post-war agreements.
  • In the American Civil War, various disarmament movements aimed to reduce the number of arms and promote peace.
  • Disarmament discussions have formed the basis of international relations since the development of nuclear weapons.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, heroes often disarm villains to show strength without resorting to violence, focusing on the power of peace.
  • Video games often include disarming mechanics as a way to disable enemies and promote strategy over brute force.
  • Songs and literature frequently explore themes of disarmament, symbolizing emotional vulnerability and personal connection.

Psychology

  • To disarm someone in a conversation can mean diffusing anger and making them more open and communicative.
  • Research suggests that vulnerability can disarm conflict, allowing for deeper connections between people.
  • People may use humor as a way to disarm stressful situations, making tense environments more manageable.

Legal Perspective

  • Disarmament laws vary greatly worldwide, with some countries strictly regulating arms while others have lenient policies.
  • International treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty aim to curb the proliferation of weapons and promote disarmament.
  • Debates on disarming certain civilian arms often arise in discussions about public safety and right to bear arms.

Origin of 'disarm'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'desarmer', which means 'to take away arms'.
  • The prefix 'dis-' is used to indicate a reversal, while 'arm' refers to weapons.
  • This concept has been used since the medieval times when knights would disarm before a duel.

The word 'disarm' originated in the late 16th century, derived from the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'opposite of' and 'arm' referring to weapons. It has been used in various contexts related to military actions, security measures, and peace agreements.

See also: arm, armband, armed, armlet, armlets, armor, armory, armour, armoury, arms, army, disarmed, unarm, unarmed.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,641, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.