disentangle

[ dis-en-tang-guhl ]

verb (used with or without object)

, dis·en·tan·gled, dis·en·tan·gling.

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

   Synonyms: disencumber, disembarrass

disentangle

/ ˌdɪsɪnˈtæŋɡəl /

verb

1. to release or become free from entanglement or confusion
2. tr to unravel or work out

Derived Forms

• ˌdisenˈtanglement, noun

Other Words From

• disen·tangle·ment noun
• disen·tangler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disentangle¹

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

Example Sentences

Researchers will have to disentangle the various ways in which the asteroid has changed if they hope to use it as a window into the early solar system.

From Popular-Science

Colonialism itself was broad and complex, and its modern-day outcomes are not easily disentangled.

From Quartz

Scientists are still trying to disentangle how much of the harm from hepatitis C is caused by the immune response against the virus rather than the virus itself.

From Quanta Magazine

By acquiring SDG&E’s infrastructure and instituting full public control of our energy service, San Diego can more easily and efficiently disentangle from fossil fuels and provide energy at a significantly lower monetary and environmental cost.

From Voice of San Diego

Ecologists need to recognize individuals when disentangling the complex symbioses and relationships that define a community.

From Quanta Magazine

So it's hard to disentangle any possible negative effects from the effects of divorce and other family instability.

From The Daily Beast

All of these factors are related to cognitive enhancement, but they're difficult to disentangle.

From The Daily Beast

But how then do we disentangle from this place in a responsible way?

From The Daily Beast

In order to carry out my wife's orders, I had to disentangle Susan from Liosha's embrace and pack her off rueful to the nursery.

From Project Gutenberg

You will probably see Williams before I can disentangle myself from the affairs with which I am now surrounded.

From Project Gutenberg

Miranda and the Queen curiously examined the quaint instrument, and helped to disentangle and divest it of its broken strings.

From Project Gutenberg

He cast his mind back over the interview, but failed to disentangle anything definite.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a complex totality, as yet difficult to disentangle, of psychic and physical forces.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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