decouple

[dee-kuhp-uhl]

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).

verb (used without object)

decoupled, decoupling 

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

decouple

/ ˌdiːˈkʌpəl /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• decoupler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decouple¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; de- + couple

Example Sentences

It's thought that the Irish government intervention could allow the decoupling of the theatre plan from the Civic Centre, thus fast tracking building work.

Read more on BBC

Tesla’s strategy is the latest example of how trade and geopolitical tensions are driving a decoupling of the world’s two largest economies and increasingly redrawing global supply chains.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"This is what decoupling actually looks like at the corporate level, and it's a huge mess," said Mr Nunlist.

Read more on BBC

Li warned, without explicitly mentioning the United States, that the international order had been threatened this year by "various forms of decoupling and supply chain disruption, coupled with escalating trade frictions".

Read more on Barron's

But the push for U.S. rare-earths companies to decouple from dependence on China still matters.

Read more on MarketWatch