unmoor
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to loose (a vessel) from moorings or anchorage.
-
to bring to the state of riding with a single anchor after being moored by two or more.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to weigh the anchor or drop the mooring of (a vessel)
-
(tr) to reduce the mooring of (a vessel) to one anchor
Etymology
Origin of unmoor
First recorded in 1490–1500, unmoor is from the Middle English word unmooren. See un- 2, moor 2
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.
That attitude, however, tends to unmoor people from even basic morality.
From Salon • May 7, 2024
Some officials worry premature easing, if followed by another round of accelerating inflation and then a hike in rates, could hurt public confidence and unmoor inflation expectations.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024
Further declines will surely come, but it will take new, unexpected shocks to unmoor stocks, bonds and commodities in a fundamental way.
From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2022
Or perhaps the witches’ prophecy that he’s about to hear, the one foretelling his rise to the throne, has already begun to unmoor him from reality.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2021
Specht was waiting to unmoor the ship, and the look on his face was equally terrified.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
