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.
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 WebClumsy, swaggering, disarming, stupid, cowardly or naive; ill-intentioned, unaware, incapable or uncaring. Anna Zanardi Cappon, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021 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 Sara a rare mix of timidity and courage that’s unwaveringly disarming. Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Nov. 2021 Garments can be gorgeous, disarming, and take your breath away.BostonGlobe.com, 15 Oct. 2021 Then there are the green track suits with their utilitarian, dehumanizing number badges; there’s the shot of Gong Yoo, calm and disarming, holding up the two red and blue ddakji envelopes. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2021 By contrast, Stephen Fry’s narration on video was charming and disarming. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2021 These are the results when officers choose to draw their most disarming weapon: compassion. Steve Hartman, CBS News, 6 June 2021 See More