disengage
Americanverb (used with object)
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to release from attachment or connection; loosen; unfasten.
to disengage a clutch.
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to free (oneself ) from an engagement, pledge, obligation, etc..
He accepted the invitation, but was later forced to disengage himself.
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Military. to break off action with (an enemy).
verb (used without object)
verb
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to release or become released from a connection, obligation, etc
press the clutch to disengage the gears
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military to withdraw (forces) from close action
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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
Other Word Forms
- disengaged adjective
- disengagedness noun
- self-disengaging adjective
Etymology
Origin of disengage
1605–15; < Middle French desengager, equivalent to des- dis- 1 + engager to engage
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In my experience, students aren’t necessarily disengaged—they are responding to their environment and responsibilities.
Next week we’ll ask: “A recent survey found a third of students aren’t involved in campus life beyond classes. Are students disengaged from civic and social life? Why or why not?”
International pressure has been increasing on the backers of this conflict to disengage.
From BBC
To illustrate the point, he gave the example of a child who struggles with hearing, which leads to them becoming disruptive and disengaged.
From BBC
When he is reading a prepared text he seems disengaged, as if he fears nothing exciting will happen.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
