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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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
  • If confirmed by future research, the approach could provide a powerful new weapon to fight heart disease, the nation's leading killer, freeing people from the need to take statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs every day.
    NPR, NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
  • No-kill is about giving every pet in a shelter a fair chance and proving that with the right policies and practices in place, managing animal shelters doesn’t require killing dogs and cats simply to free up space.
    Scott Giacoppo, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Keeping Tabs on Car and Insurance-Related Documents Good documentation helps save time and stress during claims or disputes.
    Ethan M. Stone, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • After first responders tried to save her at the scene, she was taken to Hennepin Healthcare and pronounced dead.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Hudson, for her part, felt liberated.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Russia’s president has claimed that his invasion of Ukraine was a mission to liberate the people of that country.
    M. Gessen, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back.
    Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Here’s how to claim your lottery prize All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Due to the severity of the damage, one person had to be extricated while the other person managed to remove themselves on their own, Albuquerque Fire and Rescue said.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The two occupants of the truck that hit Engine 14 were trapped and firefighters on the scene extricated them, officials said.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Disembarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disembarrass. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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