Disarm: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.