disentangle

[dis-en-tang-guhl]

verb (used with or without object)

disentangled, disentangling 

1. to free or become free from entanglement; untangle; extricate (often followed byfrom ).

   Synonyms: disencumber, disembarrass

disentangle

/ ˌdɪsɪnˈtæŋɡəl /

verb

1. to release or become free from entanglement or confusion

2. (tr) to unravel or work out

Other Word Forms

• disentanglement noun
• disentangler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disentangle¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; dis- ¹ + entangle

Example Sentences

She disentangled herself from the sobbing widow, and the little pink circles of her cheeks turned pale as she examined the ruined shoulder of her dress.

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But questions have also been raised about whether they can disentangle themselves from their parents' mess.

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Ghosting is uncanny not only because it deprives us of certain codified social rituals for disentangling our relationships.

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Policymakers are trying to disentangle whether a slowdown in monthly job gains reflects fewer people entering the country and seeking jobs or, instead, a drop in demand for workers.

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That coincided with rising industrialisation, when burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, began to heat up our atmosphere, but it's hard to disentangle natural and human causes that far back in time.

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Related Words

• detach 
• disengage 
• emancipate 
• extricate 
• unravel 
• unscramble 
• untangle 
• untie