disarming

UK: /ˌdɪsˈɑː^rmɪŋ/ US: /dɪsˈɑrmɪŋ/ ,(dis är′ming)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•arm•ing /dɪsˈɑrmɪŋ/   adj. 

1. taking away anger or suspicion, etc., as by being charming:
   a disarming smile.

dis•arm•ing•ly, adv.: 

She smiled disarmingly.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•arm•ing  (dis är′ming), adj. 

1. removing or capable of removing hostility, suspicion, etc., as by being charming:
   a disarming smile.

• disarm + -ing² 1540–50

dis•arm′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

winning, engaging, winsome.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

disarming / dɪsˈɑːmɪŋ/ adjective

1. tending to neutralize or counteract hostility, suspicion, etc

disˈarmingly adverb

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•arm /dɪsˈɑrm/   v. 

1. Military to take away weapons from (someone):
   [~ + object] The police disarmed the remaining suspects.
2. Military to remove the fuze or other activating device from:
   [~ + object] to disarm a bomb.
3. to deprive of the means of attack or defense:
   [~ + object] He was disarmed by her logic.
4. to take away or remove anger, suspicion, etc.;
   win the affection or approval of;
   charm:
   [~ + object] She can always disarm me with one of her happy little smiles.
5. Military (of a country) to reduce or limit armed forces:
   [no object] The superpowers never agreed to disarm.

See -arm-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•arm  (dis ärm′), v.t. 

1. Military to deprive of a weapon or weapons.
2. Military to remove the fuze or other actuating device from:
   to disarm a bomb.
3. to deprive of the means of attack or defense:
   The lack of logic disarmed his argument.
4. to divest or relieve of hostility, suspicion, etc.;
   win the affection or approval of;
   charm:
   His smile disarmed us.

v.i. 

5. Military to lay down one's weapons.
6. Military (of a country) to reduce or limit the size, equipment, armament, etc., of the army, navy, or air force.

• Old French desarmer. See dis-¹, arm²
• Middle English 1325–75

dis•arm′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

disarm / dɪsˈɑːm/ verb

1. (transitive) to remove defensive or offensive capability from (a country, army, etc)
2. (transitive) to deprive of weapons
3. (transitive) to win the confidence or affection of
4. (intransitive) (of a nation, etc) to decrease the size and capability of one's armed forces
5. (intransitive) to lay down weapons

disˈarmer noun