disengage

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verb dis·en·gage \ˌdis-^ən-ˈgāj\

: to separate from someone or something

: to stop being involved with a person or group : to stop taking part in something

: to move (a mechanism or part of a machine) so that it no longer fits into another part

Full Definition of DISENGAGE

transitive verb

:  to release from something that engages or involves

intransitive verb

:  to release or detach oneself :  withdraw

— dis·en·gage·ment \-mənt\ noun

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Examples of DISENGAGE

1. The two dancers moved together in a series of quick movements before disengaging and leaping apart.
2. Put the car in gear, and then slowly disengage the clutch while pressing on the gas pedal.
3. If there is a malfunction, the gears will automatically disengage.

Origin of DISENGAGE

French désengager, from Middle French, from des- dis- + engager to engage

First Known Use: 1611

Related to DISENGAGE

Synonyms

clear, disembarrass, extricate, disentangle, free, liberate, release, untangle

Antonyms

embroil, entangle

Related Words

deliver, redeem, rescue, save; disburden, disencumber, unburden; unravel, unsnarl, untie, untwine

Near Antonyms

block, hamper, hinder, impede, obstruct; burden, encumber, load, weigh

Rhymes with DISENGAGE

batting cage, center stage, golden age, legal age, mental age, middle age, multistage, ossifrage, overage, report stage, saxifrage, scarlet sage, underage