disassociate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'disassociate' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means to separate yourself, in thought or action, from someone or something. For example: "After the attack, he wanted to disassociate himself from the group and its dangerous activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ballantyne had made strenuous efforts to disassociate himself from the financial mismanagement that had seen Airdrieonians disappear under a mountain of debt.

The Guardian - Sport

Some other companies clearly disagree, as they seek to disassociate themselves from a sport that at times has been the laughing stock of the country.

The Guardian

Related: Salman Rushdie slams critics of PEN's Charlie Hebdo tribute However, Rushdie's tweeted glee that there were "just six pussies" (a word he later apologised for) proved premature, as on Wednesday a letter was sent to PEN America in which authors said they "respectfully wish to disassociate ourselves" from the award.

The Guardian - Books

I, for one, cannot fully disassociate the piece from the gaudy though enthralling images of dinosaurs and volcanic eruptions that so entranced me as a small child.

The Guardian - Music

He said that although none of the defendants were themselves intimidating towards staff, they were aware, he said, that methods of intimidation were being used and refused to disassociate themselves from the action by leaving the store.

The Guardian

I've been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder by a psychologist who talks about how I disassociate from my past.

The Guardian

The plaintiffs' lawyers may also try to disassociate the victims from the actions of Koresh, whose apocalyptic visions and orders to stockpile weapons brought on the siege in the first place.

The Economist

When the descendants of those settlers try to disassociate the word from that period it seems like an act of self-forgiveness, a small effort to whitewash that terrible history.

The Economist

Although Lenovo's move should help Chinese sales, it could cause it problems elsewhere; best not to boast about it there, Mr Quelch says.Long-term Olympic sponsors such as McDonald's and Coca-Cola should Coca-Cola shouldmselves from Beijing by citing their recordisassociatelympics as a whole, emphasising themselvesort fromvarious national teams and so forth, says Mr Quelch.

The Economist

In Ukraine, oligarchs associated with Mr Yanukovych stampeded to disassociate themselves from him when he fell.

The Economist

Unfortunately, those who make a reasonable case for BDS sometimes find themselves in coalitions with bigoted extremists who shout anti-Semitic slogans, but that is the nature of politics: there are always idiots on your side from whom you have to disassociate yourself.And that problem cuts both ways.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disassociate", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are separating from. For example, "disassociate" yourself from a political ideology or a past behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "disassociate from" when "disassociate with" is more appropriate. While both are sometimes used, "disassociate from" is generally preferred.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disassociate" is as a verb. It is used to describe the act of separating oneself, either physically or ideologically, from something else. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "disassociate" functions as the main verb in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disassociate" is a versatile verb used to express the act of separating oneself from something, be it a person, idea, or action. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news, encyclopedias, and business contexts. While alternatives such as "detach from" or "distance oneself from" exist, "disassociate" conveys a deliberate intention to create distance and avoid negative associations. Remembering to use the preposition "from" correctly and understanding the contexts where "disassociate" is most appropriately used will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dissociate oneself from

A more formal version of "disassociate", with almost identical meaning.

separate oneself from

A general term for creating a distinction or barrier between oneself and something else.

detach from

Focuses on removing oneself from an emotional or practical connection.

distance oneself from

Indicates a deliberate effort to create emotional or physical separation.

disengage from

Highlights a withdrawal from active involvement or participation.

sever ties with

Implies a complete ending of a relationship or connection.

withdraw from

Suggests a retraction or retreat from a position or affiliation.

break away from

Suggests a sudden or decisive departure from a group or idea.

divorce oneself from

Emphasizes a formal or legal separation, often from an idea or cause.

renounce

Implies a formal rejection or abandonment of a belief or association.

FAQs

How can I use "disassociate" in a sentence?

You can use "disassociate" to describe separating yourself from a group, idea, or behavior. For example, "He decided to "disassociate himself from" the project after the controversy".

What's a good alternative for the word "disassociate"?

Alternatives include "detach from", "distance oneself from", or "separate oneself from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "disassociate from" or "disassociate with"?

While both are used, "disassociate from" is generally considered more standard and grammatically correct. Using "disassociate with" is not incorrect, but less common.

Can "disassociate" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "disassociate" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to express a deliberate separation or detachment. It conveys a clear and professional tone.