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Synonyms

disrobe

American  
[dis-rohb] / dɪsˈroʊb /

verb (used with or without object)

disrobed, disrobing
  1. to undress.


disrobe British  
/ dɪsˈrəʊb /

verb

  1. to remove the clothing of (a person) or (of a person) to undress

  2. (tr) to divest of authority, etc

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of disrobe

1575–85; dis- 1 + robe; compare Middle French desrober


Explanation

When you disrobe, you take your clothes off. Before you go swimming, you should probably disrobe and put on a bathing suit. Everyone disrobes, before we take a shower, change our clothes, or go skinny dipping. To disrobe is simply to get undressed. You might disrobe in a dressing room to try on a tuxedo or disrobe before your karate class so you can put on your white karate gi. The word uses the prefix dis-, "do the opposite of," before robe, with its old fashioned verb sense of "clothe."

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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.

See Examples For:

Or Max Scherzer defiantly beginning to disrobe during an in-game check by umpires?

From Seattle Times ● May 1, 2022

“The fact that I have to prove I don’t have tattoos on my upper body, disrobe, quite frankly is a little humiliating,” Rhambo told The Times on Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2021

Monsignor Charles Portelli, who was the cathedral's master of ceremonies in the 1990s, testified that he was always with Pell after Mass to help him disrobe in the sacristy.

From Fox News ● Feb. 26, 2019

Later, a curt attendee comes to lead her down a drab, darkened hall, ushers her into a room, locks the door, and asks Sawyer to empty her bag, hand over her phone and disrobe.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 21, 2018

They were then seized with something approaching a panic, and hastened to disrobe.

From Scottish Ghost Stories by Elliott O'Donnell

Sue Tilley was 35 years old and working in a London employment office when she disrobed and let British artist Lucian Freud paint her in the nude.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

Chief Justice Varale also invoked Draupadi from the epic Mahabharat, who's saved by Hindu god Krishna when she's being disrobed, to advise women "to pick up arms as no god will come to protect you".

From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2023

As his teammates around him disrobed and walked to the showers, Herbert sat in front of his locker and stared at the ground.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2023

He headed western U.S. congregations but was disrobed in a church trial last year after officials concluded he had mishandled funds.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 25, 2022

The old Captain, with Ming’s help, had disrobed Pratt and put him to bed; but when the doctor came early in the morning, he put the patient in Frances’ hands.

From Frances of the Ranges The Old Ranchman's Treasure by Amy Bell Marlowe

But the disrobing has other benefits: A thick, sour miasma of pig excrement engulfs me as I make my way inside, and I’m glad I’ve left my clothes behind.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 7, 2023

She delivered again, face stripped of makeup and disrobing from her couture to wear a simple black t-shirt and ripped jeans to perform "Hold My Hand" from "Top Gun."

From Salon ● Mar. 13, 2023

If the animal is wearing a coat or sweater, the officer may subject the pet to a pat-down, but disrobing the animal is not necessary.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 24, 2023

Later that day, the fresh tape on her temples would unstick in time for the scrubbing, disrobing, and de-wigging that must take place before Sarah can go home to her wife.

From Slate ● Mar. 29, 2019

He felt that even in speaking in that way he would be indicating how hopeless he felt, thereby disrobing his soul to more shame.

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright

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