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 of disengage

• 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

Families often disengage because their schools aren’t meeting their needs. —Jon England, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025

But Morant has looked obviously disengaged often, and has already had some injury issues early into the year. —Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Advertisement ‘Boy friendly’ solutions There are many reasons why boys are disengaging from education, but this one—male status anxiety in the face of direct competition and possible loss to girls—is grossly underestimated. —Soraya Chemaly, Time, 24 Nov. 2025

The entrepreneur was seemingly distracted and disengaged to the point where Snoop had to call her attention back. —Essence, 4 Nov. 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