as in to free
to set free from entanglement or difficulty still struggling to disembarrass herself of the emotional baggage of a failed relationship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disembarrass differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disembarrass are disencumber, disentangle, extricate, and untangle. While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

When might disencumber be a better fit than disembarrass?

In some situations, the words disencumber and disembarrass are roughly equivalent. However, disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

How do disentangle and untangle relate to one another, in the sense of disembarrass?

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

disentangling fact from fiction
untangle a web of deceit

When is it sensible to use extricate instead of disembarrass?

The words extricate and disembarrass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disembarrass
Verb
  • After Carter was freed, a man who'd taken the then-12 year old under his wing tried to help the boy reunite with his mother.
    Amber Hunt, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The Chiefs will have to slide a lot of protections toward Carter, which should free up Williams.
    Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In 2017, there was a collaborative effort between Mexico and the United States to save vaquitas and place them in a pen under human care.
    Uma Raja, Sun Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The Apple iPad mini (2024) is now available for just $399 (saving you a cool hundred bucks).
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Going after the protections of the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship to Black American liberated from slavery by the Union Army in the Civil War, is a terrible way to bring reform to immigration, which surely needed reforming.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025
  • By the 30th, Uranus will station direct, bringing unexpected shifts and surprises to your love life, as this electric synergy could open doors to new ways of thinking or fresh, liberating connections that challenge your usual type.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • However, those assuming Jod would be redeemed by the end were sorely mistaken.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 Jan. 2025
  • As a reminder, PS Plus' monthly free games for January can still be redeemed.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • News Studios staff in the UK have been told their jobs are at risk after Piers Morgan unveiled his plan to extricate himself from the Rupert Murdoch business.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
  • After an amazing back-and-forth (DeVito and William Standford Davis were great at playing off each other), Gregory extricates himself from the problem, leaving the two unhinged men to figure it out between themselves.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near disembarrass

Cite this Entry

“Disembarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disembarrass. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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