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

Definition of extricate next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Less clear is how the company manages to extricate its cable operations from the units Comcast plans to retain. —

David Bloom, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Biden did a fine job extricating us from the pandemic — from a political, economic, moral and emotional standpoint. —

Dave Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 14 Nov. 2024 After being brought to the top of the ridge, the victim was secured and lowered down before being extricated from the wooded area, fire officials said. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 Nov. 2024 Three had to be extricated from the flattened wood of the house. —

Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for extricate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extricate

Verb

On Monday, the ISW's map noted gains by Kyiv in Ukraine's Donetsk region as well as claims by Russian sources that Ukrainian forces had liberated Novyi Komar.

Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
His apparent ouster would bring to a close nearly 25 years of his tight-grip rule, liberate Syria from a family dynasty that has brutally controlled Syria for double that time and inject fresh turmoil into a Middle East region already spilling over with warfare and political uncertainty.

Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024