disengage

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disengage" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use the word "disengage" when referring to the separation or disengagement of two people or things. For example, "After a few years of working together, the two partners decided to disengage their business relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A minority of hardliners are taking the state's disengagement from Gaza as a cue to disengage from the state.

The Economist

He said: "We cannot afford to give the impression that we are going to disengage.

The Guardian

"First, Ms Lawrie and her lawyers would ignore Mr Lawler in the future and disengage from the inquiry.

The Guardian

It is one reason why the Middle East matters so much and why any attempt to disengage is so wrong and short-sighted".

The Guardian

It's difficult to disengage with something you've contributed towards and been so invested in.

The Guardian

If the threat of an Iranian nuclear bomb is set aside, says Mr Shapiro, America could disengage more easily, relying on a lighter military presence to keep the Gulf's sea lanes open.But if America retains an interest in the region's overall stability, such disengagement would not serve it well.

The Economist

In prose terms, the interaction between these external and internal worlds gives the narrative a thick, involved feel that is both unsettling and near-impossible to disengage from.Here is powerful writing indeed, intricately structured, driven, highly ambitious, and at times very funny.

The Economist

Unsettling the settlersIsrael's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, shook Israelis by declaring that he would remove all Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip as part of his plan to "disengage" from the territories occupied by Israel since the war of 1967.

The Economist

The general recently told an Irish newspaper that his first challenge would be to "disengage" the 14-country mission from the French national presence in Chad.

The Economist

The time to disengage has passed and without the USSR just who is NATO's enemy?ANDRIUS VARNASRedondo Beach, CaliforniaBanking on biometricsSIR You dismiss biometrics by saying "passwords have been around for millennia, and will live on for some time yet" ("The measure of man", September 9th).

The Economist

Left to itself, the market would support a fraction of that number.Will politicians ever disengage from business?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disengage" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of separating or freeing oneself from an obligation, involvement, or connection. This can range from physical detachment to emotional or political distancing.

Common error

Avoid using "engage" when you actually mean to indicate a separation or withdrawal. "Engage" means to become involved, the opposite of "disengage". Be sure to choose the correct prefix to convey your intended meaning accurately.

Linguistic Context

The verb "disengage" functions primarily to describe the action of releasing, separating, or withdrawing from something. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it refers to detaching from political involvement or physical mechanisms. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "disengage" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of releasing, separating, or withdrawing from something, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. Its primary function is to communicate detachment or withdrawal, suitable for formal, professional, and neutral registers. Remember to use "disengage from" rather than "disengage with", and be mindful of the subtle differences between "disengage" and synonyms like "detach". Understanding these nuances will enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Detach oneself

Focuses on the action of separating oneself from a situation or entity.

Withdraw from

Emphasizes the act of pulling back or retreating from an involvement.

Disconnect from

Highlights the severing of a connection or relationship.

Extract oneself

Implies a more forceful or deliberate removal from a situation.

Remove oneself

A more general term for taking oneself out of a situation.

Step back from

Suggests creating distance and reducing involvement.

Pull away from

Emphasizes a physical or emotional separation.

Uncouple from

Focuses on separating two things that were previously joined.

Dissociate from

Implies a deliberate attempt to separate oneself from an association or identity.

Break away from

Suggests a more abrupt and decisive separation.

FAQs

How can I use "disengage" in a sentence?

You can use "disengage" to describe separating from a physical connection, like "disengage the gears", or from an abstract connection, such as "disengage from politics".

What are some synonyms for "disengage"?

Alternatives to "disengage" include "withdraw from", "disconnect from", or "detach oneself", depending on the specific context.

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

"Disengage from" is the correct and more common usage when referring to separating or withdrawing from something. "Disengage with" is less frequent and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "disengage" and "detach"?

While both imply separation, "disengage" often suggests a more deliberate or complex process of freeing oneself, whereas "detach" simply means to separate or unfasten. For example, you might "disengage from a project", but you would "detach a component".