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

But Vicki immediately goes past Meredith Marks (disengaging) to Amanda Frances (opening her laptop and working), even as the others try to earn their paychecks by poking at her. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026

But according to Adobe’s recent research, as many as half of customers will disengage with a brand if promotions feel irrelevant or mistimed. — Sharat Potharaju, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

The sceptics among the fanbase will point to this as another example of PIF being disengaged and losing interest, though the message from those at Newcastle and those close to ownership is that this is not the case. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

In the wake of the latest road rage shooting, Fort Worth police are warning drivers to disengage from aggressive encounters. — Marissa Armas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

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