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

President Wants ‘Fair Deals’ With Other Countries—But Unlikely Before Midnight Deadline Google’s Android Update—Bad News For Samsung And Pixel Users When leaders rule by coercion, employees disengage—and businesses suffer. —Dr. Samantha Madhosingh, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Porsha even acknowledges that Kenya wisely disengaged during Brit’s outburst, and at this point, Kenya is basically running a victory lap. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025

Because President Trump has not fully disengaged from his business interests, there is a potential violation of the emoluments clause, just as there was in the first Trump term. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025

Once a record begins playing, the mechanics are disengaged completely, preserving the playback quality. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 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

Rhymes for disengage

• interstage
• macrophage
• multistage
• age
• gauge
• phage
• plage
• rage
• stage
• wage
• alienage
• assuage

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