dissociate

verb

dis·​so·​ci·​ate (ˌ)di-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt 

-sē-

dissociated; dissociating

transitive verb

1

: to separate from association or union with another

attempts to dissociate herself from her past

2

: disunite

specifically : to subject to chemical dissociation

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo dissociation

2

: to mutate especially reversibly

Did you know?

Dissociate and its synonym disassociate can both mean "to separate from association or union with another." Associate is from Latin ad-, meaning "to," and sociare, meaning "to join." Dis- in this case means "do the opposite of," so both dissociate and disassociate indicate severing that which is united. Some commentators, however, argue that disassociate is illogical because it indicates separating and uniting simultaneously. Dissociate is slightly older, appearing in the late 16th century, whereas early evidence of disassociate is found in the beginning decade of the next century. Dissociate is recommended by a number of commentators on the basis that it is shorter, which it is by a grand total of two letters—not the firmest ground for an endorsement. Both words are in current good use, but disassociate is used more often in the U.S.

Synonyms

• break up
• decouple
• disassociate
• disconnect
• disjoin
• disjoint
• dissever
• disunite
• divide
• divorce
• part
• ramify
• resolve
• separate
• sever
• split
• sunder
• uncouple
• unlink
• unyoke

Examples of dissociate in a Sentence

The director has tried to dissociate himself from his earlier films.

Why is the organization choosing to dissociate itself from its founder?

Recent Examples on the Web

The parties eventually settled the lawsuit, and ASM formally dissociated itself from Dawkins by May 2017. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2024

Some dissociate during a traumatic experience, while others dissociate while recalling a traumatic memory. —Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024

Although some members of the city council were keen to dissociate the city from its Nazi links by appealing to a more distant, medieval past, others thought this smacked of dishonesty and deception. —Richard J. Evans, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017

After that, Ella began to dissociate into younger parts more often during therapy. —Rebecca J. Lester, Scientific American, 1 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin dissociatus, past participle of dissociare, from dis- + sociare to join, from socius companion — more at social

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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Kids Definition

dissociate

verb

dis·​so·​ci·​ate (ˈ)dis-ˈō-sē-ˌāt 

-shē-

dissociated; dissociating

1

: to separate from association or union with another

2

: divide entry 1 sense 1

Medical Definition

dissociate

verb

dis·​so·​ci·​ate (ˈ)dis-ˈō-s(h)ē-ˌāt 

dissociated; dissociating

transitive verb

: to subject to chemical dissociation

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo dissociation

2

: to mutate especially reversibly