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

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 extricate The sheriff’s office noted in the new release that a Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team assisted in extricating the bodies of the three climbers from mountainous terrain. David Chiu, People.com, 14 May 2025 The Chevrolet driver was extricated from the vehicle. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025 The process to extricate Canada from its F-35 commitments would be complicated, expensive and impractical, experts broadly say. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 The individual was extricated by members of the Easton Fire Department, police said. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for extricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extricate
Verb
  • Their freedom came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln liberated slaves in the Confederacy by signing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War.
    Ani Freedman, Fortune, 20 June 2025
  • Despite the temperamental British weather (gray skies and gooseflesh are a seasonal hazard) most of the 40 or 50 bodies at this summer celebration are duly liberated.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • But oddly enough, writing something so generic was the freeing element to all of our problems.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
  • Short of the savings being placed in a much bigger coffee can, government spending cuts born of efficiency, headcount reduction, mandate reduction, or all three would have just freed up money for Congress to spend in new ways.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Sabalenka, one of the favorites to lift the Wimbledon title this year, had saved four match points in a tiebreak to escape 2022 champion Elena Rybakina the previous day, one of them coming via a fortunate net cord.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Goodson, the homeowner in Maine, was able to save big money with his engineering background and penchant for DIY.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Set in Venice, the film follows a black cat named Nero who befriends a street musician and struggles to disentangle himself from the feline mob.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 13 June 2025
  • Such actions may well have suppressed both trade and foreign direct investment, although the declines in both are difficult to disentangle from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    ALLISON CARNEGIE, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • That aligns with what the cybersecurity data shows: professionals disengage when forced to hide parts of themselves.
    Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • State police disengaged pursuit but was able to get the vehicle’s registration information.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Last Verified On June 22, 2025 Information Confirmed By Newsweek All of these offers are easy to redeem with the Fanatics Sportsbook promo offer.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
  • Scooter's Coffee offers BOGO deal on Father's Day Scooter's Coffee customers can redeem a buy one, get one drink offer on Sunday, June 15 in the Scooter's Coffee mobile app.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • For one prospective graduate student, an admission to Harvard’s Graduate School of Education had rescued her educational dreams.
    Sara Braun, Fortune, 21 June 2025
  • The people rescued have included families, veterans and college students.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • With two powerful suction levels, this vacuum tackles deep cleaning on both carpets and hard floors, and its brush head effortlessly lifts debris while untangling stubborn hair.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • While more research is needed to untangle the exact mechanisms and timelines, the findings suggest a need for integrated mental and physical healthcare in people with autoimmune conditions.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extricate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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