Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disencumber differ from other similar words?

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

an article disencumbered of jargon

When would disembarrass be a good substitute for disencumber?

The words disembarrass and disencumber can be used in similar contexts, but disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

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

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

disentangling fact from fiction
untangle a web of deceit

When is extricate a more appropriate choice than disencumber?

The meanings of extricate and disencumber largely overlap; however, extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

Example 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 disencumber However, before negotiations between Lyon and the Gunners can begin in earnest, the Gunners may first have to disencumber themselves of the German's £350,000-a-week wages. SI.com, 3 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disencumber
Verb
  • The mass of public officials and volunteers unloaded and passed about 1,200 turkeys into the food bank Thursday morning in a lively assembly line.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Carol Burnett has unloaded a massive haul of her most coveted awards, handing them off to her alma mater in conjunction with an endowment to support aspiring musical theater performers.
    Karu F Daniels, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this year the Department of Transportation offered bonuses to retirement aged controllers to stay on the job longer to help relieve the existing shortage, but the shutdown seems to be working against that effort.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • This past weekend, the FAA reported staffing shortages at dozens of facilities, prompting the agency to slow air traffic to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who did show up to work.
    Joel Rose, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • If confirmed by future research, the approach could provide a powerful new weapon to fight heart disease, the nation's leading killer, freeing people from the need to take statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs every day.
    NPR, NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
  • No-kill is about giving every pet in a shelter a fair chance and proving that with the right policies and practices in place, managing animal shelters doesn’t require killing dogs and cats simply to free up space.
    Scott Giacoppo, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disencumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disencumber. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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