Definition of disentanglenext

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

Example 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 For several governors — including Beshear, Whitmer, and Newsom — their political presence and what their work in 2026 will mean within the party moving forward may prove difficult to disentangle from any potential presidential ambitions. Hunter Woodall, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025 No Spotify or Netflix exists for literature, where (other than with some exceptions, such as for vinyl collectors) the medium and the message are more easily disentangled, but the codex has endured for two millennia whereas the CD and the DVD lasted barely two decades. Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025 People will start to disentangle that seven-stock bundle and start thinking about it given a specific situation. Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 Nov. 2025 To fully disentangle them would set both sides — and the whole world — back decades. Peter Leyden, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disentangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disentangle
Verb
  • His first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy that changes his life forever.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Winning Over the Rink Around the same time, Youngblood was grooming hockey dad Eric Perardi, the coach and real-estate developer, who was quietly unraveling amid a bitter divorce.
    Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • People both young and old, lonely and less lonely, those blessed with a family home, and even couples freed up the tram for us.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Lilia, her mother and her aunt try to free a bird that has made its way into the house.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • And when that happens, stool, fluids, and gas get shuttled toward your rectum, from where they can be liberated into the free world.
    Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Milan marked that day by naming a prominent square in the city’s center April 25 Plaza for the day the uprising that liberated Milan began.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Fire crews quickly began working to extricate the man and transported him to a local trauma center.
    Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Then the play ends and the actor has to extricate themselves.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • There’s only one way to untangle the Webb inside the Broncos’ quarterback room right now.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
  • That the two companies use the Orient Express name is a source of confusion Barletta has aimed to untangle through his train cruising model.
    Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Did Manchester City just save the title race?
    Stuart James, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Dave Coulier credited early cancer detection with saving his life – twice.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Emotional fatigue builds and high performers start rationing effort or quietly disengaging.
    Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Altogether, there is a complex system of legal support in place that has been shown to be very effective at preventing activists from disengaging after experiences of state repression.
    Heidi Reynolds-Stenson, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • To redeem the offer, use code GOODWILLDUNKIN at checkout.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Here’s how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600.
    Detroit Free Press Staff, Freep.com, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disentangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disentangle. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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