as in disengaging
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1
as in removing
to take (something) away from or off of something else to which it is joined
Detach the lower portion of the invoice and send it back with your payment.
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2
as in withdrawing
to avoid engaging with or participating in something
They were reticent people, completely detached from social life.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detaching
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
The recall comes six months after Tesla and the NHTSA recalled roughly 46,000 Cybertrucks that were at risk of a trim panel detaching.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
As of October 23, the company had received 158 reports of the curling iron barrel detaching, including six minor burn injuries.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2026
In one sense, detaching goal setting from the start of the Gregorian calendar is reasonable—one can, of course, choose to begin afresh at any moment.
—Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Foliage turns yellow and then red, adhering to the plant for several months, before finally detaching to form a leafy mulch below.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025
Imagery in the report shows the engine and its pylon detaching and flying up into the air in a ball of fire almost immediately after takeoff.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Nov. 2025
For me, detaching from the male gaze wasn’t about rejecting beauty or fashion, but shifting who holds agency.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2025
Carol is actively detaching from anyone who might be of help to her.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Ford had recalled 175,000 vehicles on Wednesday, owing to moonroof wind deflectors detaching.
—Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Emptying the dust cup was simple thanks to clear arrow indicators, although detaching it from the wand first added a small inconvenience.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
An issue with a solid rocket booster motor detaching during launch on the second flight, though, delayed that certification until March 2025.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
The recall comes six months after Tesla and the NHTSA recalled roughly 46,000 Cybertrucks that were at risk of a trim panel detaching.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
As of October 23, the company had received 158 reports of the curling iron barrel detaching, including six minor burn injuries.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
This causes the uterine lining to stop thickening and to break down, detaching the embryo.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2026
In one sense, detaching goal setting from the start of the Gregorian calendar is reasonable—one can, of course, choose to begin afresh at any moment.
—Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Foliage turns yellow and then red, adhering to the plant for several months, before finally detaching to form a leafy mulch below.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025
Imagery in the report shows the engine and its pylon detaching and flying up into the air in a ball of fire almost immediately after takeoff.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Nov. 2025
For me, detaching from the male gaze wasn’t about rejecting beauty or fashion, but shifting who holds agency.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2025
Carol is actively detaching from anyone who might be of help to her.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Ford had recalled 175,000 vehicles on Wednesday, owing to moonroof wind deflectors detaching.
—Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Emptying the dust cup was simple thanks to clear arrow indicators, although detaching it from the wand first added a small inconvenience.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detaching
Verb
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Repairs to the balcony included removing and replacing rotten support beams, according to an invoice from Ameridian.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
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But research from both academics and conservative groups suggests removing undocumented immigrants from the census would shift only a handful of seats — not the sweeping advantage critics claim.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The team was so committed to this, in fact, that one member was stranded at a western Pennsylvania rest stop while the others completed a 90-minute detour just to circle back around and pick him up without disengaging FSD.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
22 Jan. 2026
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Some people respond by disengaging quietly.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But for now, his parting words were ominous.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Shelley Martin, 62; Moreno, 43; and Duran, 44, are charged with murdering former member Emilio Ghanem, who disappeared in 2023 shortly after parting ways with the group.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hurzeler’s side are down to 14th, the same number of points (eight) separating them from West Ham in the relegation zone and Brentford in seventh.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Management also said that Viasat continues to evaluate strategic options, which include potentially separating the company’s government and commercial businesses.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Uhlaender accused the Canadian team and its coach, Joe Cecchini, of intentionally withdrawing the athletes, deliberately manipulating the field to benefit one of their own sliders’ bids for qualification.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
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In so doing, avoid withdrawing NATO’s commitment to defend NATO member states’ remote, former (and, in the case of Cyprus, coincidentally insular) colonial territories was thus established as a norm for the alliance, not an exception – one that is newly relevant once again.—
Barry Scott Zellen,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Interestingly, a 2023 study from the Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens demonstrates that dolphins can remember others’ signature whistles even after long periods of separation.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Nelsen told the jury Debe was still worried about Bob after their separation.—
Sarah Prior,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Taste is a global force, driving migrations, shifting investments, and dividing us into groups and tribes.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
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That said, finding the answer to how much silver $500 will buy isn't as simple as dividing that amount by today's spot price.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Our narrator, a gay, happily married father of two disentangling himself from a poly love affair, is—depending on the light—brilliant, self-mythologizing, abject, hopeful, and vulnerable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
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Brittany Luse is joined by writer and journalist Ana Marie Cox to get into how people are disentangling alcohol from their lives, and the lessons she's learned as a recovering alcoholic.—
Veralyn Williams,
NPR,
6 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detaching. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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