uncouple
verb
un·cou·ple
ˌən-ˈkə-pəl 
uncoupled; uncoupling; uncouples
1
: to release (dogs) from a pair of joined collars
2
: detach, disconnect
uncouple railroad cars
Synonyms
Examples of uncouple in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
With their energy focused on Biden's agenda, Democrats backed down from a showdown over the debt limit in the government funding bill, deciding to uncouple the borrowing ceiling at the insistence of Republicans.
—Compiled Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2021
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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
With their energy focused on Biden's agenda, Democrats backed down from a showdown over the debt limit in the government funding bill, deciding to uncouple the borrowing ceiling at the insistence of Republicans.
—Compiled Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2021
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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 30 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
uncouple
verb
un·cou·ple
ˌən-ˈkəp-əl
uncoupled; uncoupling
-ˈkəp-(ə-)liŋ
: disconnect
uncouple railroad cars
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