disentangle

[ dis-en-tang-guhl ]

verb (used with or without object)

, dis·en·tan·gled, dis·en·tan·gling.

1. to free or become free from entanglement; untangle; extricate (often followed by from ).

   Synonyms: disencumber, disembarrass

disentangle

/ ˌdɪsɪnˈtæŋɡəl /

verb

1. to release or become free from entanglement or confusion
2. tr to unravel or work out

Derived Forms

• ˌdisenˈtanglement, noun

Other Words From

• disen·tangle·ment noun
• disen·tangler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disentangle¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; dis- ¹ + entangle

Example Sentences

Trump wants the US to disentangle itself from foreign conflicts generally.

From BBC

Trump advocates isolationist policies that involve disentangling his country from foreign conflicts and promoting American industry.

From BBC

Post-truth is more than simply lying; it attempts to undermine the very notion of truth – that experts can be trusted, facts can be disentangled from fiction and truth is knowable or even matters.

From Salon

Trump has an isolationist foreign policy and wants the US to disentangle itself from conflicts elsewhere in the world.

From BBC

Although he was most often pictured sitting around negotiating tables in Brussels or London, much of the work to disentangle the UK from the EU was done by Mr Barnier’s staff.

From BBC

Related Words

• detach
• disengage
• emancipate
• extricate
• unravel
• unscramble
• untangle
• untie