disengage

verb

dis·​en·​gage ˌdis-in-ˈgāj 

disengaged; disengaging; disengages

transitive verb

: to release from something that engages or involves

intransitive verb

: to release or detach oneself : withdraw

disengagement

ˌdis-in-ˈgāj-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• clear
• disembarrass
• disentangle
• extricate
• free
• liberate
• release
• untangle

Examples of disengage in a Sentence

The two dancers moved together in a series of quick movements before disengaging and leaping apart.

Put the car in gear, and then slowly disengage the clutch while pressing on the gas pedal.

If there is a malfunction, the gears will automatically disengage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of the Bills players disengaged from their blocks and began walking, assuming the play was over. —Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

Hot To Handle, said this is becoming trickier as young viewers disengage from traditional TV. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025

As time went on, Sarah became disengaged, and her passion for marketing faded. —Divya Divakaran, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

But Trump will likely act as if he's already withdrawn, disengaging from the WHO, and without bipartisan agreement from Congress to overturn Trump's action, which isn't likely, the WHO will officially lose its largest funder by 2026. —Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French désengager, from Middle French, from des- dis- + engager to engage

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

disengage

verb

dis·​en·​gage ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈgāj 

: to free or release from an engagement, entanglement, or burden

disengage an automobile clutch

disengagement

-mənt 

noun