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 synonymous sibling disassociate can each mean "to separate from association or union with another." Both trace back to the Latin verb sociare, meaning "to join," which comes in turn from socius, a noun meaning "companion." (Socius is associated with many English words, including social and society.) Dis- in this case means "do the opposite of," so both dissociate and disassociate indicate severing that which is united. Some argue that disassociate is illogical because it indicates separating and uniting simultaneously. Dissociate is also preferred by some because it is shorter (by a grand total of two letters) but both words are in current good use.

Synonyms

• divide
• separate
• split
• disconnect
• disassociate
• sever

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 case involved a New York official who allegedly threatened enforcement actions against regulated entities that refused to dissociate from the pro-gun advocacy group. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025

These operating agreements provided that if a member of the LLCs filed or was forced into bankruptcy, then the bankrupt member would be immediately dissociated from the LLC and no longer will receive distributions. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

But they are often dissociated from their emotions, struggling with indecision, or living in a constant state of low-level overwhelm. —Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 4 Aug. 2025

Dogs showing signs of separation anxiety may benefit from gradual desensitization to being alone and learning to dissociate cues like jingling keys from being left alone. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025

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