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

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
  • Using his electric superpower, Fester causes an explosion that frees the L.O.I.S. subjects from their cells.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Fester zaps the whole place, shutting off the power and freeing all the Outcasts from their cages.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The fact that this movie is streaming on Amazon and Amazon is presented as the only thing that could ever save humanity from an existential threat is hilarious.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Hiro can take on different animal forms to traverse the landscape, solve puzzles, overcome enemies and save the realm.
    Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Shaked, who was liberated from the Matthausen camp, was referring to the condition of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, young men abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, from the Nova music festival in southern Israel.
    Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
  • How did One Piece season 1 end? Season 1 of Netflix's One Piece adaptation ended with Luffy and the Straw Hat gang liberating Nami's hometown of Coco Village from Arlong (McKinley Belcher III), the spiky-nosed fish-man with hopes of turning the village into a fish-men empire.
    EW.com, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This series had no redeeming science value, but was pure unadulterated entertainment.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Here’s how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600.
    Detroit Free Press Staff, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Rosen had to be extricated from her vehicle and was flown by emergency helicopter to Regions Hospital.
    Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 5 Aug. 2025
  • McKnight suffered serious injuries and had to be extricated.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 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 20 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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