disengage

[dis-en-geyj]

verb (used with object)

disengaged, disengaging 

1. to release from attachment or connection; loosen; unfasten.

   to disengage a clutch.

2. to free (oneself ) from an engagement, pledge, obligation, etc..

   He accepted the invitation, but was later forced to disengage himself.

3. Military.,  to break off action with (an enemy).

verb (used without object)

disengaged, disengaging 

1. to become disengaged; free oneself.

disengage

/ ˌdɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒ /

verb

1. to release or become released from a connection, obligation, etc

   press the clutch to disengage the gears

2. military to withdraw (forces) from close action

3. fencing to move (one's blade) from one side of an opponent's blade to another in a circular motion to bring the blade into an open line of attack

Other Word Forms

• disengagedness noun
• self-disengaging adjective
• disengaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disengage¹

1605–15; < Middle French desengager, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + engager to engage

Example Sentences

Specifically, Gallup has found that nearly three-quarters of disengaged employees will change jobs for a 20% bump in pay.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

An inquiry into the incident found a series of human errors, including a failure to disengage the ship's autopilot, was the root cause of the crash.

Read more on BBC

Patricia is both invested in and disengaged from her own mental health and her husband’s medical challenges.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It just disengages somebody - one half of the couple - because they don't have any of the information," she says.

Read more on BBC

“He could be controversial, but he struck a nerve with people who were likely disengaged in politics prior to Turning Point and built a powerful movement.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• back off 
• detach 
• disconnect 
• disentangle 
• dissociate 
• extricate 
• liberate 
• withdraw