disconnect

1 of 2

verb

dis·​con·​nect ˌdis-kə-ˈnekt 

disconnected; disconnecting; disconnects

transitive verb

1

: to sever the connection of or between

2

: dissociate sense 1

are disconnected from meaningful relationships

intransitive verb

1

: to terminate a connection

2

: to become detached or withdrawn

disconnects into dark moods

disconnection

ˌdis-kə-ˈnek-shən 

noun

disconnect

2 of 2

noun

: 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.

—Robert J. Samuelson

Synonyms of disconnect

Verb

• divide
• separate
• split
• resolve
• sever

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Part of me wants to ask what is going on; another part wants to disconnect from her forever. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

Gasoline prices are beginning to disconnect from oil prices, instead trading on storage levels, or inventories, according to Rob Thummel, senior portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital Advisors LLC. — Kevin Crowley, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

Noun

Otherwise, the founder must keep a tight rein on employees or watch disconnects develop as people create their own ways of working. — Amy Powell, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

There is also a curious disconnect between the policies that political leaders put in place and the desires of voters. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1751, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1982, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disconnect

• architect
• circumspect
• deselect
• dialect
• disinfect
• disrespect
• incorrect
• indirect
• intellect
• interject
• intersect
• pluperfect

Kids Definition

disconnect

verb

dis·​con·​nect

ˌdis-kə-ˈnekt

: to undo or break the connection of

disconnect two pipes

disconnect a telephone

disconnection

-ˈnek-shən

noun