Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disentangle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disentangle are disembarrass, disencumber, extricate, and untangle. While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction
untangle a web of deceit

When might disembarrass be a better fit than disentangle?

Although the words disembarrass and disentangle have much in common, disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

When can disencumber be used instead of disentangle?

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

an article disencumbered of jargon

In what contexts can extricate take the place of disentangle?

The synonyms extricate and disentangle are sometimes interchangeable, but extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disentangle It’s always been hard to disentangle The Bear’s medium from its message. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 June 2025 Set in Venice, the film follows a black cat named Nero who befriends a street musician and struggles to disentangle himself from the feline mob. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 13 June 2025 Such actions may well have suppressed both trade and foreign direct investment, although the declines in both are difficult to disentangle from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2025 Hogg claimed the vote can't be disentangled from his dispute with the party. Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for disentangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disentangle
Verb
  • And the assumptions that supported its premium are unraveling with it.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • However, their alliance unraveled after the 2020 presidential election, when Kemp refused to intervene in Georgia’s vote certification despite pressure from Trump, who narrowly lost the state to Joe Biden.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The raptor stayed on top of her, even as the woman’s partner tried to free her.
    Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • And, of course, using social media less could also free up more time for parents to spend playing with their kids.
    Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • The courage to do so calls for finding ways to liberate yourself from the inside out when pushing against external structures—whether that be pushback from friends or family who might criticize you for pursuing your desires to systems that weren’t set up to support you to succeed.
    Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • What happened to Edward and Fritz Niland after the war ended? Edward was found alive in a Japanese POW camp in Rangoon and liberated on May 4, 1945.
    Emily Krauser, People.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • The 911 calls released by authorities reveal how neighbors frantically tried to extricate a family of four out of plane that crashed into a tree into a Pembroke Pines neighborhood Sunday night.
    Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025
  • The machine was then rolled into the center's post office so emergency crews could work to extricate the boy.
    Hailey Roden, The Enquirer, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Shapiro dexterously untangles the Gordian knot of their entwined passions, shared ambitions and business bottom lines.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • Search and rescue teams are using heavy equipment to untangle and peel away layers of trees, unearth large rocks in riverbanks and move massive piles of debris that stretch for miles in the search for the missing people.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Unfortunately, after consultations with the office, I was asked not to work this week to save my brain cells for the second half.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Among Microsoft Teams’ most active users, tools like Copilot have saved up to eight hours per month, the equivalent of a full workday, by summarizing meetings, streamlining communications, and eliminating routine tasks.
    Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Moore explained to jurors that Autopilot automatically disengages if a driver fails to put hands on the wheel after receiving three audible warnings.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 July 2025
  • McCray disengaged, but saw Corder drop to the ground.
    Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • 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, 28 July 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, 28 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disentangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disentangle. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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