disengage
verb
dis·en·gage
ˌdis-in-ˈgāj 
disengaged; disengaging; disengages
: to release from something that engages or involves
: to release or detach oneself : withdraw
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
Once a record begins playing, the mechanics are disengaged completely, preserving the playback quality.
—
Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Research published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that romantic partners who coped with conflict by disengaging — through avoidance, withdrawal or denial—exhibited stronger physiological stress responses and slower recovery afterward.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The apparent elimination of federal oversight for these students, advocates say, could prompt them to fall behind academically, disengage from school and face lower graduation rates.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2025
Among the projects at risk is a national compilation of threats to public officials, including assassination attempts against Trump; research on the violent misogyny that floods social media platforms; a long-term study of far-right extremists who are attempting to disengage from hate movements.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disengage
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Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Research published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that romantic partners who coped with conflict by disengaging — through avoidance, withdrawal or denial—exhibited stronger physiological stress responses and slower recovery afterward.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The apparent elimination of federal oversight for these students, advocates say, could prompt them to fall behind academically, disengage from school and face lower graduation rates.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2025
Among the projects at risk is a national compilation of threats to public officials, including assassination attempts against Trump; research on the violent misogyny that floods social media platforms; a long-term study of far-right extremists who are attempting to disengage from hate movements.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disengage
Cite this Entry
“Disengage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disengage. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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disengage
verb
dis·en·gage
ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈgāj
: to free or release from an engagement, entanglement, or burden
disengage an automobile clutch
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