Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

uncouple

American  
[uhn-kuhp-uhl] / ʌnˈkʌp əl /

verb (used with object)

uncouples, present (3rd person singular) uncoupled, past participle, past uncoupling present participle
  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.


verb (used without object)

uncouples, present (3rd person singular) uncoupled, past participle, past uncoupling present participle
  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

"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 uncouple

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

Vocabulary lists containing uncouple

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.

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

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

In cancer cells, however, we often observe that subdomains uncouple, resulting in erroneous attachments and chromosome segregation errors.'

From Science Daily • May 13, 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

The shock, embarrassment and sadness of having to cancel my wedding and uncouple my life from my ex’s was just beginning to ease.

From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2021

Instead of getting in there and taking things over, couldn’t we learn to disconnect altogether, uncouple, detach, and float free?

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "uncouple" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com