Disentangle: meaning, definitions and examples

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disentangle

 

[ dɪsˈɛntæŋɡəl ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in a complicated situation

To disentangle means to free something or someone from being twisted, caught, or complicated. It can also refer to sorting out a complex or confusing situation.

Synonyms

clear up, unravel, untangle

Examples of usage

  • He tried to disentangle the fishing line from the tree branches.
  • She had to disentangle the misunderstanding between her friends.
  • The detective needed to disentangle the web of lies to solve the case.
Context #2 | Verb

in a metaphorical sense

To disentangle can also mean to separate or extricate oneself from a complicated or difficult situation, often involving emotions or relationships.

Synonyms

detach, dissociate, extract

Examples of usage

  • She needed time to disentangle herself from the toxic relationship.
  • He tried to disentangle his thoughts and emotions after the breakup.

Translations

Translations of the word "disentangle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desembaraçar

🇮🇳 सुलझाना

🇩🇪 entwirren

🇮🇩 mengurai

🇺🇦 розплутувати

🇵🇱 rozplątać

🇯🇵 解きほぐす (tokihogusu)

🇫🇷 démêler

🇪🇸 desenmarañar

🇹🇷 çözmek

🇰🇷 풀다 (pulda)

🇸🇦 يفك

🇨🇿 rozplést

🇸🇰 rozpliesť

🇨🇳 理清 (lǐqīng)

🇸🇮 razrešiti

🇮🇸 afþræða

🇰🇿 шешу

🇬🇪 გახსნა

🇦🇿 açmaq

🇲🇽 desenmarañar

Etymology

The word 'disentangle' originated from the combination of 'dis-' meaning 'apart' and 'entangle' meaning 'to twist together or entwine'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. Over time, the word has come to represent the act of separating or freeing something from a complex or tangled state, both literally and metaphorically.

See also: entangled, entanglement.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,442, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.