as in to liberate
to set free from entanglement or difficulty you've woven such a web of lies that it's hard to see how you can extricate yourself now

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb extricate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of extricate are disembarrass, disencumber, disentangle, and untangle. While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

When might disembarrass be a better fit than extricate?

The meanings of disembarrass and extricate largely overlap; however, disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

When could disencumber be used to replace extricate?

Although the words disencumber and extricate have much in common, disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

How are the words disentangle and untangle related as synonyms of extricate?

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

disentangling fact from fiction
untangle a web of deceit

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 extricate Police said that Johnson was extricated from her car using the jaws of life and was later pronounced dead at the scene. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025 Knutson added that there was also a fourth person in the group who was not caught by the avalanche and was later extricated safely, the Anchorage Daily News reported. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025 There has to be something remarkable, besides her jam-making skills, about a woman with the strength of will to extricate herself, her children, and a husband who’d spent his whole life within the institution from the notoriously controlling British royal family. Judy Berman, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025 Firefighters had to extricate two people from the BMW. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extricate
Verb
  • Another endangered fish, northern tidewater gobies, were rescued from the same watershed shortly before the steelhead were liberated.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Just as my ancient and modern ancestors found freedom from oppression, so can each of us be liberated from today’s challenges by crafting a future built on deeds of lovingkindness.
    Maria Zimina, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Four months into his second term, the sprint is on: SAB 121 is gone, freeing banks from punitive capital rules on digital‑asset custody; April’s bill scrapped the nightmare cost‑basis paperwork for DeFi; and the DOJ has shuttered its crypto task force, vowing to chase scammers, not software.
    Crypto Confidential, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • In the month following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack and Hamas's seizing of hundreds of Israeli hostages, Francis had prayed they would soon be freed and called for dialogue.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Bobby manages to save Chimney, who falls ill and starts coughing up blood while responding to the lab blaze.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Knowing which plants that are tricky to grow from seed will save you time, effort, and frustration Growing plants from seeds is a fun way to participate in the life cycle.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Though the film was completed well before the current administration took office, there’s something itchy about needing to disentangle the realities of last year’s elections from the idea of an estimable Black woman as our president.
    Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That changed in 2021 under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, as part of an effort to disentangle finances between the city and the district.
    Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • If, instead, your pet disengages from the situation, leave them be.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Just 31% of employees reported feeling engaged, while 17% described themselves as actively disengaged.
    Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As part of Thursday’s update, Coinbase users will also be able to redeem their PYUSD for dollars directly on the Coinbase platform, mirroring a USDC capability.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Andaz Miami Beach is one of the best ways to redeem Hyatt points in the Sunshine State.
    Chris Dong, AFAR Media, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • To protect a batch of sea turtle eggs from possible poachers, the group rescued them and hatched them in a lab before releasing 100 baby sea turtles into the ocean.
    Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Fire crews and police quickly rescued the single occupant of the vehicle, a man, as the vehicle and apartment caught fire.
    Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Professional legal and finance counsel can aid you in untangling complex distressed transactions and dodging surprises.
    Arman Harutyunyan, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Formerly an ergonomically shaped handleless brush, the 2.0 version of the brand's ultimate detangler is the ultimate multitasker for untangling wet or dry hair for durable brushing with flexible nylon pin bristles.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extricate. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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