unarmed
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
not carrying or using any weapons like guns or knives.
lacking weapons or means of physical defence; typically used of persons or groups.
Simple“The police realized the suspect was unarmed and lowered their guns.”
In context“International law provides specific protections for unarmed civilians during times of conflict, though these are frequently violated in modern warfare.”
SynonymsdefencelessweaponlessAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
not having thorns, stingers, or sharp claws to defend itself.
lacking natural defensive appendages such as thorns, spines, or talons.
Simple“This specific type of cactus is unarmed and safe to touch.”
In context“The botanist noted that the specimen was entirely unarmed, lacking the characteristic prickles found on related species in the same genus.”
SynonymsAntonymsarmedthorny - 03 C2 Proficiency
using only your eyes to see, without the help of a telescope or microscope.
referring to vision or observation conducted without the aid of optical instruments.
Simple“In the old book, the sailor described seeing the distant island with his unarmed eye.”
In context“The eighteenth-century astronomer recorded several celestial phenomena that were barely perceptible to the unarmed vision of his assistants.”
UsageIn modern English, 'naked eye' is almost always used instead of 'unarmed eye'.
“Such measures had been taken in places like Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, after public outcry over the police killings of unarmed Black people, including Floyd.”
From un- + armed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.