disengage

[ dis-en-geyj ]

/ ˌdɪs ɛnˈgeɪdʒ /

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See synonyms for: disengage / disengaged 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.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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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

Words nearby disengage

disencumber, disendow, disenfranchise, disenfranchised, disenfranchisement, disengage, disengagement, disenroll, disentail, disentangle, disenthral

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use disengage in a sentence

As if that mechanical link made of wood wasn’t cool enough, he took it a step further and designed components to be disengaged individually with the flip of a switch.
This Iowa man carves the cutest wooden tractors you’ve ever seen|Rob Stumpf/The Drive|August 26, 2021|Popular-Science
Meanwhile, a double-tap switches to TalkThru mode, which lowers the volume considerably and disengages ANC so you can talk to your wife or neighbor without removing the earbuds—though they can operate with only one in.
JBL Live Free NC+ TWS earbuds review: Made for active listening|Tony Ware|August 24, 2021|Popular-Science
Lastly, adherence support, detection and management of treatment failure, tracing of people who disengaged from care and support to reengage in care are all essential for prevention as well as treatment.
HIV 40 Years On: Four Action Points To End AIDS As A Health Threat|LGBTQ-Editor|June 9, 2021|No Straight News
Some may be disengaged and not want to return simply because they don’t love school.
Majority of San Diego High Schoolers Staying in Full-Time Distance Learning|Will Huntsberry|June 3, 2021|Voice of San Diego

More than two decades after the first banner ad was sold, digital advertising has grown so competitive, and so complex, that small publishers are beginning to disengage from it.
The coming cookie changes will force some small publishers to give up on advertising altogether|Max Willens|March 31, 2021|Digiday
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
Therefore, if you are still attached to the transitory things of this life, disengage your heart from them now.
Mary, Help of Christians|Various
I was prevented by company from which I could not disengage myself.
The Sorrows of Young Werther|J.W. von Goethe
But it is possible to disengage and examine apart the two chief elements in the earliest as in the latest ideas of Godhead.
Myth, Ritual, and Religion, Vol. 1|Andrew Lang
She tried to disengage herself from his arm; she trembled, heaved a deep sigh, and fell with her head on his shoulder.
Tony Butler|Charles James Lever
But I had no desire to play a part in this pantomime, and tried to disengage myself.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXLII. Vol. LV. April, 1844|Various

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

Origin of disengage

OTHER WORDS FROM disengage

Words nearby disengage

Words related to disengage

How to use disengage in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for disengage

Derived forms of disengage