disentangle

verb dis·en·tan·gle \ ˌdis-in-ˈtaŋ-gəl \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of disentangle

transitive verb

: to free from entanglement : unravel

intransitive verb

: to become disentangled

—

disentanglement

play \-mənt\ noun

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Examples of disentangle in a Sentence

it took forever to disentangle the knot
the years that it took to disentangle ourselves from our troubles after someone started using our social security numbers

Recent Examples of disentangle from the Web

Other drivers can easily cut you off while trying to pass on the inside, and then the staff push a magic button that slows everyone’s go-carts down in order to disentangle the little road rage incidents.

— richard tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Norwegian Bliss carves up unique space in the cruise ship crowd," 11 May 2018
But the administration has provided several months for U.S. and foreign companies and banks to disentangle existing ties with the country.

— ian talley, WSJ, "How Iran Sanctions Affect Countries and Businesses," 8 May 2018
Facebook has rewired people’s lives, routing them through its servers, and to disentangle would require major sacrifice.

— alexis c. madrigal, The Atlantic, "Even Amid Scandal, Facebook Is Unstoppable," 1 May 2018
Observers have described hearing volcanic thunder in the past, but scientists have been unable to disentangle the booms of thunder caused by volcanic lightning from the cacophony of bellows and blasts that accompany an explosive eruption.

— author: jim paulin, Anchorage Daily News, "Bogoslof volcano makes audio history," 2 Apr. 2018
But defense attorney Kathleen Bliss sought to disentangle the Cosby case from the cultural moment.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "After a volcanic day of closing arguments, Bill Cosby’s retrial is in the hands of the jury," 24 Apr. 2018
The whole episode raises a deeper question, and one with significance not just in the UK, but around the Western world: whether rising anti-Semitism can be entirely disentangled from anti-Zionist politics common on the left.

— zack beauchamp, Vox, "The UK Labour Party’s anti-Semitism crisis, explained," 29 Mar. 2018
The lawsuit said Trump has failed to disentangle himself from his hotels and other businesses, making him vulnerable to inducements by officials seeking to curry favor.

— andrew chung, Anchorage Daily News, "Federal judge refuses to toss suit against Trump on foreign payments," 29 Mar. 2018
Still, the show refused to disentangle the Conners’ loving bark from the working world’s bite.

— angela allan, The Atlantic, "How Roseanne Handled the Culture Wars of Its Time," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disentangle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of disentangle

1598

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

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disentangle Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of disentangle

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.