disconnect

[ dis-kuh-nekt ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·con·nect·ed, dis·con·nect·ing.

1. to sever or interrupt the connection of or between; detach:

   They disconnected the telephone. We were disconnected.

verb (used without object)

, dis·con·nect·ed, dis·con·nect·ing.

1. to sever or terminate a connection, as of a telephone; hang up:

   State your business and disconnect.

2. to withdraw into one's private world:

   When social pressures become too great, she simply disconnects.

noun

1. an act or instance of disconnecting, especially the suspension of telephone or cable TV service for nonpayment of service charges.
2. a lack of communication or agreement:

   There is a huge disconnect between management and employees.

disconnect

/ ˌdɪskəˈnɛkt /

verb

1. tr to undo or break the connection of or between (something, such as a plug and a socket)

noun

1. a lack of a connection; disconnection

   a disconnect between political discourse and the public

Derived Forms

• ˌdisconˈnection, noun
• ˌdisconˈnective, adjective
• ˌdisconˈnecter, noun

Other Words From

• discon·necter noun
• discon·nective adjective
• discon·nective·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disconnect¹

First recorded in 1760–70; dis- ¹ + connect

Example Sentences

On that fateful first day, scammers posing as officials from India’s telecom regulator called Lucknow-based Dr Tandon, claiming her number would be disconnected due to “22 complaints” of harassing messages sent from it.

From BBC

After the recent all-consuming election in the US, "people really need to disconnect from everything and have a bit of fun", he adds.

From BBC

In some cases, it's people who are busy and disconnected, making them vulnerable to the pressures to give up real news in favor of an easily accessed and more pleasant diet of social media garbage.

From Salon

“If I pushed her, I felt she would disconnect. She just kept saying she was fine.”

From Los Angeles Times

“There is a disconnect between policymakers and real people,” he said.

From Salon

Related Words

• cut off
• detach
• disengage
• sever