disarm

/dɪsˈɑːm/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪsˈɑːrm/ (ame, ipa) · /dis-ˈärm diz-, ˈdis-ˌärm/ (ame, mw)

disarm — verb

  • disarmpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • disarmshe / she / it
  • disarmedpast simple
  • disarming-ing form

1. to remove guns or other weapons from a person, group, or country, or to stop kee

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to remove guns or other weapons from a person, group, or country, or to stop keeping military weapons.

例句

Police officers disarmed the man before he reached the school gate.

disarm + person by removing a weapon

UN inspectors helped two rebel groups disarm after the peace agreement.

intransitive: a group disarms after a war

同義詞
  • demilitarize

    used mainly for countries, regions, or armed forces reducing military power

  • neutralize

    broader; means stopping a threat, even without physically taking a weapon away

  • disable

    focuses on making a weapon, machine, or system unable to work

反義詞
  • arm

    means to give someone weapons instead of taking them away

文法句型

disarm + person / group

country / army + disarm

用法筆記

With an object, this sense means taking weapons away from a person or group. Without an object, it often describes countries or armies giving up weapons after a war, deal, or treaty.

常見錯誤

❌Please disarm the lights before bed.
✅Please turn off the lights before bed.
💡disarm is used for weapons or military force, not ordinary household objects.

2. to soften someone's anger or distrust so they respond to you more warmly than ex

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to soften someone's anger or distrust so they respond to you more warmly than expected.

例句

Rin's quiet apology disarmed the neighbor before the argument grew worse.

an apology reduces someone's hostility

The comedian disarmed angry reporters with one honest answer.

disarm + person + with + honesty

同義詞
  • win over

    more common and broader; often means gaining support, not specifically easing hostility

  • charm

    stresses personal appeal more than reducing active suspicion or anger

  • appease

    focuses on calming anger, often by giving someone what they want

反義詞
  • antagonize

    means to make someone more hostile instead of calmer

文法句型

disarm + person

disarm + person + with + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used when a smile, apology, joke, or honest remark changes the emotional atmosphere. It suggests that criticism or suspicion becomes weaker, not that every disagreement fully disappears.

常見錯誤

❌The brochure disarmed me to buy the car.
✅The brochure persuaded me to buy the car.
💡disarm is about reducing hostility or suspicion, not simply convincing someone.