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 Brexit’s drag on the British economy is no longer much debated, though its effects have been at times hard to disentangle from subsequent shocks delivered by the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine and, now, Mr. Trump’s tariffs. Mark Landler, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 Malone was a major stakeholder in the cable company, which maneuvered to join forces with the far-larger WarnerMedia after AT&T sought to disentangle itself from Hollywood following its short ownership of the film and television studio. Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025 Though the film was completed well before the current administration took office, there’s something itchy about needing to disentangle the realities of last year’s elections from the idea of an estimable Black woman as our president. Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 That changed in 2021 under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, as part of an effort to disentangle finances between the city and the district. Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disentangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disentangle
Verb
  • But things quickly take a dark turn with the planet seeming to unravel.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
  • Trump’s entire economic agenda is contingent on the tax and spending bill’s passage at the same time the bill’s passage could trigger bond market vigilantes to unravel Trump’s entire economic agenda.
    Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Then, in March, an appeals court acquitted Lee, freeing him to campaign in the snap election.
    Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
  • He was freed on parole from the Terre Haute, Indiana, federal penitentiary on Nov. 30, 1948, after serving 32 months of his five-year prison sentence.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Season 2 offers a chilling, darkly hilarious and oddly liberating spin on a bad day at the office.
    Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
  • Even drinking a large glass of water can remind you to turn off the work-thoughts and liberate yourself to focus on everything else.
    Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Fire personnel cut through the wire to extricate the three people from the pipe by 9 a.m.
    Christian Martinez, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
  • What a moment for Julian Reese, swishing two free throws to extricate his team from the tightest spot imaginable.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That arrangement was always intended to be temporary, but for nearly two decades, the details of untangling such massive, important institutions have bedeviled three presidential administrations – including Trump’s first.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • In fact, Trump attempted to untangle Fannie and Freddie from US government control in 2019 during his first administration and failed. Fannie and Freddie essentially grease the wheels of America’s home lending market by buying mortgages from lenders and repackaging them for investors.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • His defensive metrics rank among the worst out of all qualified third basemen, with -7 outs above average and -8 defensive runs saved.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
  • The kit will save you room and money on refills throughout the frame's 20-year life span cutting disposable waste by 20%.
    Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The next morning, Michaela’s husband, Peter (none other than Kevin Bacon), returns, full of compliments but obviously disengaged.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
  • Keep in mind that unclear rules can also lead older loyalty members to disengage.
    Len Covello, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Benning redeemed himself minutes later, threading a blue-line blast through traffic on a late-period power play to tie the game at 2-2, reawakening the Charlotte crowd and shifting momentum back to the home team.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
  • Chargers Jim Harbaugh taking a new approach to evaluating Chargers’ rookie talent May 10, 2025 Week 17, HOUSTON, TBD: Herbert can redeem himself against the defense that grabbed four interceptions in the Chargers’ 2024 playoff flop.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disentangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disentangle. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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