disencumber

verb

dis·​en·​cum·​ber ˌdis-in-ˈkəm-bər 

disencumbered; disencumbering; disencumbers

transitive verb

: to free from encumbrance : disburden

Synonyms

• disburden
• discharge
• off-load
• unburden
• unlade
• unload
• unpack

Choose the Right Synonym for disencumber

extricate, disentangle, untangle, disencumber, disembarrass 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

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

disentangling fact from fiction

untangle a web of deceit

disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

Examples of disencumber in a Sentence

we disencumbered our pack animals as soon as we made camp that night

a simple statement of the terms of the contract disencumbered of legal jargon

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle French desencombrer, from des- dis- + encombrer to encumber

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

disencumber

verb

dis·​en·​cum·​ber ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈkəm-bər 

: to free from a burden