dissociate

verb

dis·​so·​ci·​ate (ˌ)di-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce dissociate (audio)
-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.

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
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.
Directed by Stacey Gregg, the scene in which Angelica finds Ursula dissociating in the sunroom, gray rain beating down on the glass ceiling, is perfectly unnerving. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024 The signing was agreed with former sporting director Mateu Alemany still in that role, but Deco can’t be dissociated from the deal at all. Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024 As Richard explains the side effects of Chloe’s upcoming radiation treatment, including potential reproductive issues, Mika starts dissociating. Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024 In covert consciousness, the very foundation of our experience as humans, our consciousness, is dissociated from our behavior. Jan Claassen, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2022 See all Example Sentences for dissociate 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissociate was in 1582

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Dictionary Entries Near dissociate

Cite this Entry

“Dissociate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissociate. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

dissociate

verb
dis·​so·​ci·​ate (ˈ)dis-ˈō-sē-ˌāt How to pronounce dissociate (audio)
-shē-
dissociated; dissociating
1
: to separate from association or union with another
2

Medical Definition

dissociate

verb
dis·​so·​ci·​ate (ˈ)dis-ˈō-s(h)ē-ˌāt How to pronounce dissociate (audio)
dissociated; dissociating

transitive verb

: to subject to chemical dissociation

intransitive verb

1
: to undergo dissociation
2
: to mutate especially reversibly

More from Merriam-Webster on dissociate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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