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disengage

verb
dis·​en·​gage | \ ˌdis-in-ˈgāj How to pronounce disengage (audio) \
disengaged; disengaging; disengages

Definition of disengage

transitive verb

: to release from something that engages or involves

intransitive verb

: to release or detach oneself : withdraw
Other Words from disengage Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about disengage

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Other Words from disengage

disengagement \ ˌdis-​in-​ˈgāj-​mənt How to pronounce disengagement (audio) \ noun

Examples of disengage in a Sentence

The two dancers moved together in a series of quick movements before disengaging and leaping apart. Put the car in gear, and then slowly disengage the clutch while pressing on the gas pedal. If there is a malfunction, the gears will automatically disengage.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Act polite but disengaged with each other in front of coworkers. — Kimberly Goad, Marie Claire, "I Started Dating Someone at Work. Then I Became His Boss.," 8 Aug. 2019 For all these reasons, voters would have a reason to turn out rather than disengage. — Steve Mulroy, The New Republic, "To Beat the Gerrymander, Think Outside the Lines," 8 July 2019 His decision to disengage was also, particularly now, the height of irresponsibility, an abdication of that most basic duty of citizenship: staying informed. — Christopher Beha, Harper's magazine, "Winning the Peace," 10 May 2019 Police found Elifritz's family was safe and decided to leave Elifritz alone, disengaging and walking away. — Maxine Bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Portland police identify 7 officers, 1 sheriff's deputy involved in shelter shooting," 10 Apr. 2018 Unfortunately, many parents completely disengage during the challenging teen years. — Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Parents want passive son-in-law to step up," 17 July 2019 Unfortunately, many parents completely disengage during the challenging teen years. — Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, "Ask Amy: My husband can barely look at his slacker son-in-law," 17 July 2019 Unfortunately, many parents completely disengage during the challenging teen years. — Amy Dickinson, The Denver Post, "Ask Amy: Parents want passive son-in-law to step up," 17 July 2019 Another view of #JohnBlum with a #baton, choosing to charge and swing baton rather than disengage. — oregonlive.com, "Witness says bloody attacks in Portland broke out after one man came to his aid," 2 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disengage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of disengage

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

History and Etymology for disengage

French désengager, from Middle French, from des- dis- + engager to engage

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More Definitions for disengage

disengage

verb
How to pronounce disengage (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of disengage

: to separate from someone or something
: to stop being involved with a person or group : to stop taking part in something
: to move (a mechanism or part of a machine) so that it no longer fits into another part

See the full definition for disengage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on disengage

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with disengage

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disengage

Spanish Central: Translation of disengage

Nglish: Translation of disengage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of disengage for Arabic Speakers

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