disengage

verb

dis·​en·​gage ˌdis-in-ˈgāj 

disengaged; disengaging; disengages

transitive verb

: to release from something that engages or involves

intransitive verb

: to release or detach oneself : withdraw

disengagement

ˌdis-in-ˈgāj-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• liberate
• free
• extricate
• save
• redeem
• disentangle
• release
• rescue
• cut loose

Examples of disengage in a Sentence

The two dancers moved together in a series of quick movements before disengaging and leaping apart.

Put the car in gear, and then slowly disengage the clutch while pressing on the gas pedal.

If there is a malfunction, the gears will automatically disengage.

Recent Examples on the Web

This means setting clear boundaries with technology, prioritizing time with people, and making a conscious choice to disengage when an interaction becomes negative. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

Day 1 on the job, Lois is in deadly peril when a space shuttle launched from the back of a jet fails to disengage and rockets into space with the jet still attached and Lois onboard. —Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025

But when jurors mentally disengage, even the strongest legal arguments become worthless. —Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The shift comes as Hamas has disengaged from ceasefire and hostage negotiations, according to two sources familiar with the matter. —Eugenia Yosef, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for disengage

• interstage
• macrophage
• multistage
• age
• gauge
• phage
• plage
• rage
• stage
• wage
• alienage
• assuage

Kids Definition

disengage

verb

dis·​en·​gage ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈgāj 

: to free or release from an engagement, entanglement, or burden

disengage an automobile clutch

disengagement

-mənt 

noun