decouple

American  

[dee-kuhp-uhl] / diˈkʌp əl /

verb (used with object)

decoupled, decoupling

1. to cause to become separated, disconnected, or divergent; uncouple.

2. to absorb the shock of (a nuclear explosion).

   a surrounding mass of earth and rock can decouple a nuclear blast.

3. Electronics. to loosen or eliminate the coupling of (a signal between two circuits).

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verb (used without object)

decoupled, decoupling

1. to separate or diverge from an existing connection; uncouple.

decouple British  

/ ˌdiːˈkʌpəl /

verb

1. (tr) to separate (joined or coupled subsystems) thereby enabling them to exist and operate separately

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Other Word Forms

• decoupler
  noun

Etymology

Origin of decouple

First recorded in 1595–1605; de- + couple

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

decouple decoupled decoupling

Researchers often protect quantum memories from environmental interference using microwave pulses that separate, or decouple, the memory from surrounding noise.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 12, 2026

It is impossible to decouple the Dodgers’ success from what it could mean for the sport’s future.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

Since 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pushed a "de-risk, not decouple" approach that balances concerns over relying too much on China with keeping ties.

From Barron's ● May 29, 2026

Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid laid out a few in commentary shared with MarketWatch on Wednesday, where he noted that stocks have started to decouple from crude-oil prices while bonds continued to trade in lock step.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 15, 2026

“Tina” doesn’t entirely decouple Ike from Turner’s story, a fact she knows is impossible and with which she comes to terms.

From Salon ● Mar. 27, 2021

To date, almost all states have maintained their previous mandates or otherwise decoupled their policies from the federal recommendations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

“Home shoppers in search of value and views latched on to the scenic state, fueled by a remote-work revolution that decoupled high-paying salaries from coastal urban hubs.” she says.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 23, 2026

"Their mobility costs are decoupled from international oil markets."

From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026

“That decoupled world requires new manufacturing in the U.S. That is driving a lot of demand,” Strazik added.

From Barron's ● Feb. 8, 2026

What made the scheme novel was that for the first time it decoupled a test moratorium from all other disarmament issues, thereby removing the major cause of the deadlock between the two countries.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Policymakers may be able to use these insights to develop shared stockpiling programs, diversify refining and manufacturing capacity, and better assess the broader effects of trade restrictions or economic decoupling strategies.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 20, 2026

That diversion is further proof that decoupling is real: Beijing is rerouting goods because the U.S. market has grown too expensive to serve directly.

From MarketWatch ● May 14, 2026

"Any delusion of full decoupling isn't realistic on any near-term horizon", she told AFP.

From Barron's ● May 13, 2026

“When you create a powerful price incentive, people figure out how to do more with less. And so there’s been a decoupling of the economy from energy consumption.”

From Salon ● Mar. 26, 2026

Finally, they go, it will accept decoupling and modulation.

From The Belgian Curtain Europe after Communism by Samuel Vaknin