unarmed

adjective

un·​armed ˌən-ˈärmd How to pronounce unarmed (audio)
Synonyms of unarmednext
1
: not armed or armored
unarmed civilians
also : not using or involving a weapon
unarmed robbery
2
: having no hard and sharp projections (such as spines, spurs, or claws)

Examples of unarmed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lackey was charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, criminal mischief and interruption of critical infrastructure, according to the booking report. — Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 So his using his influence to call for an unarmed and disarming peace can only lead to a call for getting rid of nuclear weapons. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The story co-written by Cole detailed how Navy SEALs in early 2019 killed several unarmed North Koreans during a mission to plant a listening device near the country's coast, citing two dozen unnamed sources. — Ernest Scheyder, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 Williams was unarmed, with a water bottle in his waistband, police later determined. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unarmed

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unarmed was in the 14th century

Rhymes for unarmed

See All Rhymes for unarmed

Browse Nearby Words

unarm
unarmed
unarmored
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unarmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unarmed. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unarmed

adjective
un·​armed ˌən-ˈärmd How to pronounce unarmed (audio)
ˈən-
: not armed or armored
unarmed civilians
also : not using or involving a weapon
unarmed robbery

Medical Definition

unarmed

adjective
un·​armed ˌən-ˈärmd How to pronounce unarmed (audio)
: having no arms or armlike projections
an unarmed tapeworm

More from Merriam-Webster on unarmed

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unarmed

Nglish: Translation of unarmed for Spanish Speakers

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