detach

verb

de·​tach di-ˈtach How to pronounce detach (audio)
dē-
detached; detaching; detaches

transitive verb

1
: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage
2
detachability noun
detachable adjective
detachably adverb

Examples of detach in a Sentence

Detach the upper part of the form and return it with your payment. During the accident the trailer was detached from the car. The brush detaches from the vacuum cleaner for easy cleaning. It can be difficult to detach yourself from the chaos of the situation. She has been trying to detach herself from an abusive relationship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The tag is designed to detach after a set period, or, if the shark dives deeper than 5,900 feet (about 1,800 meters). Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024 Daniel Ricciardo, though currently detached from Formula 1, represents the caliber of drivers that such teams aspire to attract, albeit the real likelihood of his participation seems negligible at present. Alex Harrington, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024 Excited delirium deaths in South Florida and across the country share commonalities: a sweating, agitated, incoherent man detached from reality — often high on cocaine or synthetic drugs — is restrained, sometimes aggressively, by police. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024 Use polite but detached responses and, if necessary, remove yourself from the conversation without detailed explanation. Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detach 

Word History

Etymology

French détacher, from Old French destachier, from des- de- + -tachier (as in atachier to attach)

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detach was in 1686

Dictionary Entries Near detach

Cite this Entry

“Detach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detach. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

detach

verb
de·​tach di-ˈtach How to pronounce detach (audio)
: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage
detachable adjective
detachably adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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