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adj Uncommon

unarmed

uhn-AHRMD

Unarmed (adj) means not carrying a weapon. Example: “Witnesses confirmed the man was unarmed at the time of the arrest.”

adj
1
Not carrying a weapon.
"Witnesses confirmed the man was unarmed at the time of the arrest."
2
Lacking natural defensive parts such as thorns, claws, or spines.
"The plant's stem is unarmed, unlike its thorny relatives."

How to use unarmed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWithout a weapon, or, in biology, without natural defenses like spines or claws.

Common pairings
unarmed civilian shoot an unarmed man unarmed combat
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Witnesses confirmed the man was _____ at the time of the arrest.

weaponless defenseless

Related words

Rhymes for unarmed

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Frequently asked questions

What does “unarmed” mean?

The word “unarmed” means not carrying a weapon. In plain terms, without a weapon, or, in biology, without natural defenses like spines or claws.

How do you pronounce “unarmed”?

“Unarmed” is pronounced uhn-AHRMD (/ˌʌnˈɑɹmd/ in IPA).

How do you use “unarmed” in a sentence?

Here is “unarmed” used in a sentence: “Witnesses confirmed the man was unarmed at the time of the arrest.”

What part of speech is “unarmed”?

“Unarmed” is an adjective.

Is “unarmed” a common word?

“Unarmed” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “unarmed” have?

“Unarmed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not carrying a weapon.

What is the difference between "unarmed" and "disarmed"?

"Unarmed" describes someone not currently carrying a weapon, without implying any prior state, while "disarmed" specifically implies a weapon was taken away or removed from someone who previously had one. An unarmed person may simply never have been carrying a weapon in the first place.

Can "unarmed" describe plants or animals?

Yes. "Unarmed" can describe a plant or animal lacking natural defensive parts such as thorns, claws, or spines, extending the core sense beyond weapons carried by people.

What is the opposite of "unarmed"?

The opposite of "unarmed" is "armed," describing someone carrying a weapon or, in the extended sense, a plant or animal equipped with natural defenses like thorns or claws.

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