unmoor

American  

[uhn-moor] / ʌnˈmʊər /

verb (used with object)

1. to loose (a vessel) from moorings or anchorage.

2. to bring to the state of riding with a single anchor after being moored by two or more.

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verb (used without object)

1. (of a vessel) to become unmoored.

unmoor British  

/ -ˈmɔː, ʌnˈmʊə /

verb

1. to weigh the anchor or drop the mooring of (a vessel)

2. (tr) to reduce the mooring of (a vessel) to one anchor

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Etymology

Origin of unmoor

First recorded in 1490–1500, unmoor is from the Middle English word unmooren. See un- ², moor ²

Example Sentences

How horrifying to think of all that capability and intellect, unmoored from a conscience.

From The Wall Street Journal

Others have ideas unmoored from any known belief system.

From The Wall Street Journal

The emerging world order leaves many countries feeling unmoored.

From The Wall Street Journal

After the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, regulators’ investigations into Wall Street analysts revealed an industry culture of unbridled optimism, unmoored by facts.

From Barron's

“This guy is not mad, he’s very intentional, but he’s unmoored and he’s unhinged,” Newsom said.

From The Wall Street Journal