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.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use disengage in a sentence

Engage when he’s kind, disengage completely when he uses or defends cruelty.
Carolyn Hax: How to tell Dad that you want to dispense with the unpleasantries|Carolyn Hax|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
Wilkie has faced criticism for appearing disengaged from the VA’s critical programs.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Headlines GOP Fundraiser as COVID-19 Cases Surge|by Isaac Arnsdorf|October 21, 2020|ProPublica
Now they can help disengage the sympathetic nervous system, commonly known as fight-or-flight mode, and bring the body into a parasympathetic state, or rest-and-digest mode, Almeyda explains.
Pocket This Anti-Stress Routine for Difficult Days|Lauren Bedosky|October 20, 2020|Outside Online
“U.S. forces have already disengaged…they should go home,” Zai says.
Afghan Diplomat: The Security Agreement Will Be Signed|Jacob Siegel, Sami Yousafzai|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Anyway Y has deliberately disengaged from the one source that might tell him differently.
Peace Process Problem: The Average Israeli|Daniel Gavron|June 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Barack Obama is also far more aloof and disengaged than George W. Bush.
Stop Calling Obama Aloof!|Paul Begala|May 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There can be no doubt that the divided, paranoid, disengaged Arab Americans Hussein Ibish describes do exist.
We Already Are Politically "Normalized"|James Zogby|November 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He sighed, had bad posture at the podium, and seemed generally disengaged.
Brett O’Donnell: What to Watch For in the Town-Hall Debate|Brett O’Donnell|October 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He rode easily, with a loose rein, and he waved his disengaged hand the instant he caught sight of the white faces.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Some time since, by way of trying the power of the engine, we disengaged the balance-bob.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
Aristide disengaged himself, waved his hand airily towards Perigueux, and smiled blandly.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
She took his offered arm with her disengaged hand, as an additional support; and her white face turned a shade whiter.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
The man roared furiously, and gave a convulsive heave that almost upset myself and the big chair, and disengaged the key!
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne

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 related to disengage

How to use disengage in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for disengage

Derived forms of disengage