uncouple

verb

un·​cou·​ple ˌən-ˈkə-pəl How to pronounce uncouple (audio)
uncoupled; uncoupling; uncouples

transitive verb

1
: to release (dogs) from a pair of joined collars
2
: detach, disconnect
uncouple railroad cars
uncoupler noun

Examples of uncouple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The decision, which found the defendants liable for about $1.8 billion in damages, a sum that could grow to more than $5 billion, could ultimately uncouple the listing and buying agents’ commissions, so sellers would no longer be obligated to pay the buyer’s portion. Ronda Kaysen, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023 The man slid soundlessly to the ground, a round hole in his forehead from which the blood bubbled and ran down into his eyes carrying with it his slowly uncoupling world visible to see. Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2023 In flat-switching, members stationed along tracks to uncouple railcars sometimes didn’t pull out the pins on time. Esther Fung, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 Many in the liberal caucus spent Friday morning pushing to uncouple the weapons ban from the public safety package and hold separate votes. Arkansas Online, 30 July 2022 Getting rid of it also distances us from polygamous groups from whom Latter-day Saint leaders have long tried to consciously uncouple. The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 July 2022 This approach works to uncouple fear from the hurt. Jessica Dulong, CNN, 27 June 2022 All these factors, plus a springtime flocking into the outdoors, especially in the northern U.S., could help blunt a potential wave’s peak; some may even help uncouple a rise in infections from a secondary surge in hospitalizations and deaths. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2022 By releasing its guidance before the data used to justify it, the CDC didn't so much put the cart before the horse as uncouple them entirely. Joel Mathis, The Week, 30 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncouple.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncouple was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near uncouple

Cite this Entry

“Uncouple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncouple. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncouple

verb
un·​cou·​ple ˌən-ˈkəp-əl How to pronounce uncouple (audio)
uncoupled; uncoupling
-ˈkəp-(ə-)liŋ
: disconnect
uncouple railroad cars
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