disentangle

verb

dis·​en·​tan·​gle ˌdis-in-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

disentangled; disentangling; disentangles

transitive verb

: to free from entanglement : unravel

intransitive verb

: to become disentangled

disentanglement

ˌdis-in-ˈtaŋ-gəl-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• ravel (out)
• unbraid
• unlay
• unravel
• unsnarl
• untangle
• untwine
• untwist
• unweave

Choose the Right Synonym for disentangle

extricate, disentangle, untangle, disencumber, disembarrass mean to free from what binds or holds back.

extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction

untangle a web of deceit

disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

Examples of disentangle in a Sentence

it took forever to disentangle the knot

the years that it took to disentangle ourselves from our troubles after someone started using our social security numbers

Recent Examples on the Web

Those in favor say people should disentangle from unhealthy relationships without shame, and that family should be held to the same standards as friends and romantic partners. —Jeanette Tran, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024

Leaning into this advantage can yield economic benefits and investment opportunities, helping the United States disentangle from China. —Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2024

In other words, betting markets can’t be disentangled from a reality in which a segment of the country does not believe the election results. —Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024

The struggles cannot be disentangled and written off as foreign or complicated. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

disentangle

verb

dis·​en·​tan·​gle ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈtaŋ-gəl 

: to straighten out : untangle

disentanglement

-mənt 

noun