Definition of disembarrassnext
as in to free
to set free from entanglement or difficulty still struggling to disembarrass herself of the emotional baggage of a failed relationship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disembarrass differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disembarrass are disencumber, disentangle, extricate, and untangle. While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

When might disencumber be a better fit than disembarrass?

In some situations, the words disencumber and disembarrass are roughly equivalent. However, disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

How do disentangle and untangle relate to one another, in the sense of disembarrass?

Both disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction
untangle a web of deceit

When is it sensible to use extricate instead of disembarrass?

The words extricate and disembarrass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disembarrass
Verb
  • The step aims to free up Russian cargoes stranded at sea and ease supply shortages caused by the Iran war.
    SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
  • In addition to straining the CCP’s energy supply lines, eliminating the malign influence of the mullahs would free up the resources of the United States and its allies to confront Chinese aggression against Taiwan and its other neighbors.
    Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Join MyRecipes—your personal home for recipes—to easily save and organize your favorites, plus thousands more, in one convenient place.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Michael Collodi saved five shots in his third start for Dallas (1-1-1) this season after making nine last year as a rookie.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As Liu tells it, the insight that liberated her didn’t have to do with skating at all.
    Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Chicago visitors will also see items never before displayed publicly, including a letter Anne’s father, Otto Frank, wrote in 1945, after being liberated from Auschwitz.
    Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Named Robinhood Ventures Fund I, the vehicle is closed-end, meaning that people can buy and sell shares with each other, but not redeem them with Robinhood for the underlying assets.
    Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Someone else sold a $4 million winner This ticket must be redeemed at a Florida Lottery office, such as the Fort Myers office about 25 miles from this Sunoco.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Fort Worth Fire Department was called to the scene to help with extricating four people from the vehicle, according to the statement.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Hughes had to be extricated and was airlifted to a Chicago hospital after the crash.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disembarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disembarrass. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster