disassociate

American  

[dis-uh-soh-shee-eyt, -see-] / ˌdɪs əˈsoʊ ʃiˌeɪt, -si- /

verb (used with object)

disassociated, disassociating

1. to dissociate.

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disassociate British  

/ ˌdɪsəˈsəʊʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. a less common word for dissociate

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Other Word Forms

• disassociation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of disassociate

First recorded in 1595–1605; dis- ¹ + associate

Explanation

It’s often said that we are the company we keep, so it makes sense to disassociate — or distance ourselves — from people whose behaviors and beliefs we do not wish to be connected to. To disassociate means to separate yourself from a person, group, or idea. For example, if you end a friendship with your long-time buddies because you value honesty and they do not, you are disassociating from them. This term often indicates an intentional effort to distance oneself from certain people, organizations, beliefs, or behaviors that are no longer acceptable to you so that you are no longer associated with them.

Example Sentences

In trying to disassociate herself from the scandal, Melania’s lack of acknowledgment of her husband’s ties to Epstein stands out as a confusing, but increasingly familiar, bit of cognitive dissonance.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

The victim told the BBC: "It makes me feel sick - I've tried to disassociate myself from it but whoever has done that has won, they have that of me now."

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

Honestly, I was just trying to be in the moment and not disassociate, which I’ve done in the past in scenes like that.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2024

And once you — and I’m personalizing this now, because the film requires this of its audience — once you have these things, what are you willing to disassociate from in order to keep them?

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2023

In 1901, in fact, in order to more fully disassociate itself from the infamous prison, the town changed its name to Ossining.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover