DISENTANGLE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'disentangle' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disentangle are disembarrass , disencumber , extricate , and untangle . While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things. // disentangling fact from fiction // untangle a web of deceit

Q: When might 'disembarrass' be a better fit than 'disentangle'?

Although the words disembarrass and disentangle have much in common, disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders. // disembarrassed herself of her advisers

Q: When can 'disencumber' be used instead of 'disentangle'?

In some situations, the words disencumber and disentangle are roughly equivalent. However, disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down. // an article disencumbered of jargon

Q: In what contexts can 'extricate' take the place of 'disentangle'?

The synonyms extricate and disentangle are sometimes interchangeable, but extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation. // extricated himself from financial difficulties

disentangle

verb

ˌdis-in-ˈtaŋ-gəl

Definition of disentangle next

as in to unravel

to separate the various strands of it took forever to disentangle the knot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to free

to set free from entanglement or difficulty the years that it took to disentangle ourselves from our troubles after someone started using our social security numbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disentangle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disentangle are disembarrass, disencumber, extricate, and untangle. While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction

untangle a web of deceit

When might disembarrass be a better fit than disentangle?

Although the words disembarrass and disentangle have much in common, disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

When can disencumber be used instead of disentangle?

In some situations, the words disencumber and disentangle are roughly equivalent. However, disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

In what contexts can extricate take the place of disentangle?

The synonyms extricate and disentangle are sometimes interchangeable, but extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of disentangle Hang up your beach towels and disentangle yourself from your pool noodle because the Vacation Alliance is in trouble! —

Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024 This is undoubtedly true of some, and racial prejudice can be hard to disentangle from economic concerns. —

Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 Those in favor say people should disentangle from unhealthy relationships without shame, and that family should be held to the same standards as friends and romantic partners. —

Jeanette Tran, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024 Leaning into this advantage can yield economic benefits and investment opportunities, helping the United States disentangle from China. —

Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disentangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disentangle

Verb

The guess here is that this will all unravel much faster than anyone currently thinks, leaving the country, and its new government, adrift and voters counting the days to the midterm elections.

Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
But Forbes reported that unraveling TikTok from ByteDance will be all but impossible, and more recently, found that if TikTok is banned, Americans’ data could flow back to China.

Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024