Synonyms

extricate

American

[ek-stri-keyt] / ˈɛk strɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

extricated, extricating

to free or release from entanglement; disengage.

to extricate someone from a dangerous situation.

Synonyms:

liberate, deliver, rescue, loose, loose
to liberate (gas) from combination, as in a chemical process.

extricate British

/ ˈɛkstrɪˌkeɪt /

verb

to remove or free from complication, hindrance, or difficulty; disentangle

"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

extricable adjective
extrication noun
unextricated adjective

Etymology

Origin of extricate

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin extricātus (past participle of extricāre ), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + tric(ae) “perplexities” + -ātus -ate ¹

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.

Rocket responded with its “Bully Shield” program, which pays penalties and court fees for any brokers who want to extricate themselves from UWM External link’s contract.

From Barron's

The dogs secured outside the room - and her husband wishing he was with them - Bloor began carefully extricating herself.

From BBC

“I think you’re right,” Clara said, keeping her eyes fixed on the girls as she, too, tried to slowly extricate herself from her chair.

From Literature

“How well I know the pain of a broken heart,” the widow murmured, extricating her hands from the admiral’s.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023