uncouple

American  

[uhn-kuhp-uhl] / ʌnˈkʌp əl /

verb (used with object)

uncoupled, uncoupling

1. to release the coupling or link between; disconnect; let go.

   to uncouple railroad cars.

2. to end (a romantic relationship or marriage).

   Their marriage was uncoupled by financial problems.

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verb (used without object)

uncoupled, uncoupling

1. to become unfastened; let go.

   The glider uncoupled from the tow plane.

2. to end a romantic relationship or marriage.

   My sister and her boyfriend have uncoupled after ten years together.

3. (of a romantic relationship or marriage) to end.

uncouple British  

/ ʌnˈkʌpəl /

verb

1. to disconnect or unfasten or become disconnected or unfastened

2. (tr) to set loose; release

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Etymology

Origin of uncouple

1300–50; Middle English unco ( u ) plen; see un- ², couple

Example Sentences

If you uncouple your net worth from your self-worth, navigating finances becomes less sensitive.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

If the web makes it easy to uncouple sights and sounds from their sources, what will people remember of stations’ four-letter identifiers, those signifiers of pride and place, the call signs?

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 12, 2024

"But in economics, we know that if payments are directly tied to penalties, that's restrictive, and it can't be optimal. So, we said, let's uncouple them and see what solution would happen."

From Science Daily • May 15, 2024

Who can forget when Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow and her then-husband, musician Chris Martin, announced in 2014 that they would consciously uncouple?

From Washington Post • Jan. 21, 2022

He felt the hush which Ml upon the company, and saw Master Twyti wave silently to the lymerer to uncouple his hounds.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White