EXTRICATE Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'extricate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of extricate are disembarrass , disencumber , disentangle , and untangle . While all these words 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

Q: When might 'disembarrass' be a better fit than 'extricate'?

The meanings of disembarrass and extricate largely overlap; however, disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders. // disembarrassed herself of her advisers

Q: When could 'disencumber' be used to replace 'extricate'?

Although the words disencumber and extricate have much in common, disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down. // an article disencumbered of jargon

Q: How are the words 'disentangle' and 'untangle' related as synonyms of 'extricate'?

Both disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things. // disentangling fact from fiction // untangle a web of deceit

extricate

verb

ˈek-strə-ˌkāt

as in to liberate

to set free from entanglement or difficulty you've woven such a web of lies that it's hard to see how you can extricate yourself now

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How does the verb extricate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of extricate are disembarrass, disencumber, disentangle, and untangle. While all these words 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

When might disembarrass be a better fit than extricate?

The meanings of disembarrass and extricate largely overlap; however, disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

When could disencumber be used to replace extricate?

Although the words disencumber and extricate have much in common, disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

How are the words disentangle and untangle related as synonyms of extricate?

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

disentangling fact from fiction

untangle a web of deceit

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of extricate That elicited a response from Miller, who jumped Marchand to defend Hughes, only to eat a few gloved sucker punches after Marchand somehow extricated himself from the pile. —

Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024 The fire department's director of media relations, Corey McIsaac, told the Free Press on Tuesday that crews extricated the employee from the machine before transporting him to an area hospital for treatment. —

Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2024 One person was injured and had to be extricated from their vehicle following a rollover crash in Shelton on Sunday. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 Nov. 2024 And, how can the next U.S. administration, whether led by Joe Biden or Donald Trump, extricate itself from this dangerous position? —

Ivan Eland, Boston Herald, 15 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for extricate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extricate

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