disengage

[ dis-en-geyj ]

/ ˌdɪs ɛnˈgeɪdʒ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR disengage ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), dis·en·gaged, dis·en·gag·ing.

to release from attachment or connection; loosen; unfasten: to disengage a clutch.

to free (oneself) from an engagement, pledge, obligation, etc.: He accepted the invitation, but was later forced to disengage himself.

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

verb (used without object), dis·en·gaged, dis·en·gag·ing.

to become disengaged; free oneself.

Words nearby disengage

disenchanted, disenchantment, disencumber, disendow, disenfranchise, disengage, disengagement, disenroll, disentail, disentangle, disenthral

Origin of disengage

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

OTHER WORDS FROM disengage

dis·en·gag·ed·ness

[dis-en-gey-jid-nis, -geyjd-] /ˌdɪs ɛnˈgeɪ dʒɪd nɪs, -ˈgeɪdʒd-/, nounself-dis·en·gag·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for disengage

The regional players could disengage from the great game in Central Asia.
How to Repair the U.S. Pakistan Relationship|Bruce Riedel|June 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It can disengage, but only at a terrible economic, political, and military cost.
America's Greatest Challenge|George Friedman|January 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
One of them—it was Father d'Aigrigny—contrived to disengage himself with a violent effort, and to rise upon his knees.
The Wandering Jew, Complete|Eugene Sue
It was impossible to disengage the remains of the balloon-envelope and suspension apparatus except in strips and pieces.
Boys' Second Book of Inventions|Ray Stannard Baker

All the while that he spoke she had made persistent efforts to disengage herself from his grasp.
A Bride of the Plains|Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Could you pull it back and then release that half an inch to disengage the rebound block?
Warren Commission (3 of 26): Hearings Vol. III (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Cut-over and disengage in tierce is related in precisely the same way to counter-tierce.
Secrets of the Sword|Csar Lecat de Bazancourt

British Dictionary definitions for disengage

disengage

/ (ˌdɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒ) /

verb

to release or become released from a connection, obligation, etcpress the clutch to disengage the gears

military to withdraw (forces) from close action

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

Derived forms of disengage

disengaged, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

disengage

verb (used with object), dis·en·gaged, dis·en·gag·ing.

verb (used without object), dis·en·gaged, dis·en·gag·ing.

Words related to disengage

Words nearby disengage

Origin of disengage

OTHER WORDS FROM disengage

Examples from the Web for disengage

British Dictionary definitions for disengage

verb

Derived forms of disengage