unarmed

Unarmed refers to the absence of weapons or arms. In military, law enforcement, sport, and self-defense, the term contrasts with armed combat, where weapons are used. It can describe a fighter who engages without weapons or a situation in which a person is not bearing arms.

In martial arts and combat sports, unarmed disciplines rely on body strikes, grappling, throws, pins, and submissions. Well-known examples include boxing, wrestling, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate, and Muay Thai. Training emphasizes technique, timing, distance, conditioning, and control to reduce the risk of injury.

In legal and policy contexts, “unarmed” contrasts with “armed” in assessment of threats and use of force. Law enforcement and self-defense laws often differentiate whether a suspect or attacker is armed, affecting permissible responses, risk to bystanders, and escalation.

Historically, many cultures developed unarmed combat traditions as core military or civilian defense skills when weapons were scarce or restricted. In modern times, unarmed systems are taught for sport, fitness, and self-protection, and are sometimes practiced alongside weapon-based arts as complementary disciplines.

In contemporary media and commentary, “unarmed” is used to describe combat without weapons, including demonstrations, performances, or real-life encounters where fists, feet, and grappling are the primary means of engagement.