disarming

adjective

dis·​arm·​ing dis-ˈär-miŋ 

diz-,

ˈdis-ˌär-

: allaying criticism or hostility : ingratiating

a disarming smile

disarmingly

dis-ˈär-miŋ-lē 

diz-

ˈdis-ˌär-

adverb

Did you know?

When Should You Use disarming?

A defeated country is sometimes forced to disarm (give up its weapons), and research may be aimed at disarming a deadly virus (making it incapable of doing damage). But the meaning of the adjective disarming isn't quite so physical. If you say your nephew has a disarming smile, you mean that his smile's warmth and genuineness disarm the people he meets of any possible suspicion or criticism and of any verbal weapons they might have used against him.

Synonyms

• adorable
• darling
• dear
• endearing
• lovable
• loveable
• lovesome
• precious
• sweet
• winning
• winsome

Examples of disarming in a Sentence

We were all charmed by his disarming openness and modesty.

a thoroughly disarming little rascal who can talk his way out of any trouble

Recent Examples on the Web

This will be both disarming and believable, allowing your daughter to propose times that are both far off and inconvenient. —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2022

What follows instead is a pivotal listen that conveys trauma in an assured yet disarming way. —Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 8 Dec. 2021

Then check out the work of Danielle Perez, who delivers jokes about the heaviest of subjects with a breezy openness that’s totally disarming. —Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2021

Garments can be gorgeous, disarming, and take your breath away. —BostonGlobe.com, 15 Oct. 2021

These are the results when officers choose to draw their most disarming weapon: compassion. —Steve Hartman, CBS News, 6 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of disarm

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above