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; 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

“You know I was married once, but that didn’t work out. It hurt to uncouple our lives from our dreams.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

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

From Science Daily • May 13, 2024

It’s tough to uncouple your want/work/have system from everyone and everything except your own morality, purpose and mental health.

From Washington Post • Nov. 21, 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