dis·con·nect
ˌdis-kə-ˈnekt 
disconnected; disconnecting; disconnects
1
: to sever the connection of or between
2
: dissociate sense 1
are disconnected from meaningful relationships
1
: to terminate a connection
2
: to become detached or withdrawn
disconnects into dark moods
: a lack of or a break in connection, consistency, or agreement
a huge disconnect … between the nation's capital and the rest of the country—
R. J. Samuelson
R. J. Samuelson
Synonyms
Examples of disconnect in a Sentence
Verb
The hose and faucet had been disconnected.
Disconnect the old printer and connect the new one.
The alarm system had been disconnected.
Before starting, be sure to disconnect the power supply.
Our landlord threatened to disconnect our electricity.
We were talking on the phone but suddenly we got disconnected.
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Recent Examples on the WebTaylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
The shape of their love story is: connect, disconnect, connect, disconnect.
—Lorena O’Neil, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Communication and internet services within the Gaza Strip have been completely disconnected for a second time in less than a week, according to Paltel, the enclave’s local network operator.
—Joanna Sugden, WSJ, 1 Nov. 2023
This process involves regularly making backup copies from your Windows or Mac computer and then disconnecting the external drive from your computer for added safety.
—Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 24 Oct. 2023
The Murena 2 also has a second physical switch that, when activated, flips on airplane mode to disconnect the phone from networks and turns on do not disturb mode.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2023
Even after disconnecting members and stopping real-time leaks, a minority of the majority party scuttled Scalise in less than 48 hours.
—Matt Laslo, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Home to white-sand beaches lined with coconut trees, pristine coral reefs, and crystal-clear waters, the San Blas Islands are where travelers can disconnect from the outside world and enjoy the slower pace of island life.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2023
All of the witnesses have been interviewed and investigated, prosecutors said in a letter to Judge Debra Cole-Hall, and although all three had connections to Solorio and his family 25 years ago, many of them had been disconnected from the family for years now.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
Heather Hoover-Salomon, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023
These columns cover parents trying to reconnect with adult kids, friendship estrangement and how family can handle being caught in the middle of relatives’ disconnect.
—Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
The industry’s problems with over-production and the disconnect between capital expenditures and audience return was writ large on SAG-AFTRA and WGA picket lines.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Nov. 2023
This is the stuff that motivates people politically – consequently, there has been a disconnect between the conservative ideals promoted by elites and the attitudes of their voter base.
—Karyn Amira, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2023
Yet many Democrats are fearful there is a serious disconnect between the popularity of Biden’s agenda and the man himself, as the president’s approval ratings remain stubbornly low and voters continue to register concerns about his age.
—Seung Min Kim, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023
As the campaign heats up, economists, political scientists and all sorts of media types have been arguing over the disconnect between economic data and poll data.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
But often there’s this disconnect between legislation that’s written and what happens on the ground.
—Curbed, 18 Oct. 2023
This disconnect is fueling an internal GOP fight in the US House of Representatives that has the federal government careening toward a shutdown at midnight on Sunday, October 1.
—WIRED, 26 Sep. 2023
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Verb
And yet some aides are uneasy about pushing Biden to cheerlead for the economy in a way that appears disconnected from the public’s frustrations.
—Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
The shape of their love story is: connect, disconnect, connect, disconnect.
—Lorena O’Neil, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Communication and internet services within the Gaza Strip have been completely disconnected for a second time in less than a week, according to Paltel, the enclave’s local network operator.
—Joanna Sugden, WSJ, 1 Nov. 2023
This process involves regularly making backup copies from your Windows or Mac computer and then disconnecting the external drive from your computer for added safety.
—Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 24 Oct. 2023
The Murena 2 also has a second physical switch that, when activated, flips on airplane mode to disconnect the phone from networks and turns on do not disturb mode.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2023
Even after disconnecting members and stopping real-time leaks, a minority of the majority party scuttled Scalise in less than 48 hours.
—Matt Laslo, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Home to white-sand beaches lined with coconut trees, pristine coral reefs, and crystal-clear waters, the San Blas Islands are where travelers can disconnect from the outside world and enjoy the slower pace of island life.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2023
All of the witnesses have been interviewed and investigated, prosecutors said in a letter to Judge Debra Cole-Hall, and although all three had connections to Solorio and his family 25 years ago, many of them had been disconnected from the family for years now.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
Noun
There is a clear disconnect between retailers’ capacity for reverse logistics and consumers’ expectations of quick and easy returns–and retailers are going to pay the price.
—Heather Hoover-Salomon, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023
These columns cover parents trying to reconnect with adult kids, friendship estrangement and how family can handle being caught in the middle of relatives’ disconnect.
—Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
The industry’s problems with over-production and the disconnect between capital expenditures and audience return was writ large on SAG-AFTRA and WGA picket lines.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Nov. 2023
This is the stuff that motivates people politically – consequently, there has been a disconnect between the conservative ideals promoted by elites and the attitudes of their voter base.
—Karyn Amira, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2023
Yet many Democrats are fearful there is a serious disconnect between the popularity of Biden’s agenda and the man himself, as the president’s approval ratings remain stubbornly low and voters continue to register concerns about his age.
—Seung Min Kim, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023
As the campaign heats up, economists, political scientists and all sorts of media types have been arguing over the disconnect between economic data and poll data.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
But often there’s this disconnect between legislation that’s written and what happens on the ground.
—Curbed, 18 Oct. 2023
This disconnect is fueling an internal GOP fight in the US House of Representatives that has the federal government careening toward a shutdown at midnight on Sunday, October 1.
—WIRED, 26 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disconnect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Verb
1751, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1982, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near disconnect
Cite this Entry
“Disconnect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disconnect. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
disconnect
verb
dis·con·nect
ˌdis-kə-ˈnekt
: to undo or break the connection of
disconnect two pipes
disconnect a telephone
disconnection
noun
-ˈnek-shən
More from Merriam-Webster on disconnect
Nglish: Translation of disconnect for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of disconnect for Arabic Speakers
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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