untether

[uhn-teth-er]

verb (used with object)

1. to release from a tether.

   to untether a horse.

Word History and Origins

Origin of untether¹

First recorded in 1765–75; un- ² + tether

Example Sentences

Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and Jon Stewart, along with the comedians working “The Daily Show,” have for more than a decade bravely resisted the Trumpian movement to destroy political norms and untether our democracy from the rule of law and the constitutional protections we took for granted.

From Salon

As the sitting vice-president, Harris was unable to untether herself from an unpopular president and convince voters that she could offer the change they were seeking amid widespread economic anxiety.

From BBC

He said it’s hard to determine whether the main intent of the New Hampshire calls was to suppress voting or simply to “continue the process of getting Americans to untether themselves from fact and truth regarding our democracy.”

From Seattle Times

The network had reportedly wanted to untether itself from its unethical relationship with Trump but found that it would lose money if it did, so executives backed down.

From Salon

The farmers and their helpers went into the fields armed with specialized shears, called loppers, to untether the plants from the ground and strip them of their leaves.

From New York Times