disengage
verb
dis·en·gage
ˌdis-in-ˈgāj 
disengaged; disengaging; disengages
: to release from something that engages or involves
: to release or detach oneself : withdraw
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
These are already evident in executive orders that disengage the U.S. from the United Nations Human Rights Council, remove transgender service members from the military and privilege Christianity.
—
Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 14 May 2025
There have been trade frictions and sharp divisions, particularly with respect to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the U.S. desire to disengage from Europe as part of a greater strategic shift toward Asia, particularly China, that began during the Obama administration.
—Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
The fifth was disengaging into the secondary gap, the opposite direction.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 10 May 2025
To the side, facing away from the room, two women sat on a couch, disengaged from the purpose of the gathering.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disengage
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.
Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 14 May 2025
There have been trade frictions and sharp divisions, particularly with respect to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the U.S. desire to disengage from Europe as part of a greater strategic shift toward Asia, particularly China, that began during the Obama administration.
—Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
The fifth was disengaging into the secondary gap, the opposite direction.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 10 May 2025
To the side, facing away from the room, two women sat on a couch, disengaged from the purpose of the gathering.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disengage
Cite this Entry
“Disengage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disengage. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disengage
verb
dis·en·gage
ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈgāj
: to free or release from an engagement, entanglement, or burden
disengage an automobile clutch
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share