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
  • Taken together, the two programs free older workers for the flexible opportunities often available with smaller companies or nonprofits with traditionally lower pay.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
  • This helped free Nacua up for a 24-yard gain into the red zone.
    Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Her efforts saved the animal’s life and landed her in her hometown newspaper, The Mountain Eagle, which was the first to write about the dramatic rescue and resuscitation.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • These annual gifts can also reduce the size of your taxable estate, saving more of your lifetime exemption for future inheritances.
    Nathalie Goldstein, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Prize is technically a financial award, not a grant, which liberates recipients to dream, pause, pivot, or scale on their own terms.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Still, not every architect involved has found the project’s carte blanche approach liberating.
    Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For everyday consumers, this change dramatically expands the ways to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles—not just by flying, but by tapping into credit card spending.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • There isn’t much redeeming value in this music, something Táparo is well aware of.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Vargas was trapped and had to be extricated by first responders.
    Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Rotert says one person had to be extricated from the vehicle.
    Fox19 staff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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