dissociate itself from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dissociate itself from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when an organization or individual wants to distance themselves from a particular action, statement, or group. Example: "The company decided to dissociate itself from the controversial advertisement that sparked public outrage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Greenpeace's campaign to push Lego to dissociate itself from Shell is not a morality contest.

The Economist

The Republican Party seems to be actively trying to dissociate itself from the tradition of intellectualism your father represented.

The New York Times - Magazine

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said a deal was close but that Washington had to dissociate itself from Sham.

The Guardian

On Tuesday, Ms. Bokova announced that the organization would dissociate itself from any related events in Tehran.

The New York Times

It wants respectability, to dissociate itself from dealers in drugs that happen to be illegal even if no more harmful than tobacco.

The Guardian

Dr. Watson, long concerned that biology should dissociate itself from the stain of the eugenic movement, announced the program as one of his first official acts.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Officially, Lebanon has "dissociated" itself from Syria.

Independent

The government has reportedly dissociated itself from the award.

The New York Times

The church dissociated itself from its own former joyous demeanour, offering instead ritual, solemnity, high aesthetics.

The Guardian - Books

It regarded Judaism and Islam as retrograde, and dissociated itself from the Jewish Diaspora.

The New York Times

The newspaper has not dissociated itself from the commentaries, but has run strong opposing views from other columnists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dissociate itself from" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of separation from something with negative connotations, such as a scandal, a policy, or a group.

Common error

Avoid using "dissociate itself from" in situations where a simple separation or differentiation is intended. Phrases like "separate from" or "distinguish itself from" may be more appropriate when there isn't a need to convey rejection or disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dissociate itself from" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate action to sever ties or connections. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage when an entity aims to distance itself from something, often due to ethical or political reasons. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dissociate itself from" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression signifying a deliberate act of separation or rejection. Predominantly found in news and media, science and encyclopedia sources, it serves to publicly declare a lack of endorsement or responsibility. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides ample examples of its use. When a formal and serious tone is needed, "dissociate itself from" is a strong choice, but consider more neutral alternatives like "separate itself from" or "distance itself from" in less critical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distance itself from

Emphasizes creating space or a gap, either physically or figuratively.

separate itself from

Suggests a formal act of division or segregation.

disengage itself from

Focuses on withdrawing from involvement or participation.

detach itself from

Implies severing a connection or link.

remove itself from

Highlights the act of taking oneself out of a situation or association.

stand apart from

Focuses on maintaining independence and not being associated with others.

decouple itself from

Suggests breaking a connection, often in a technical or economic context.

sever ties with

Indicates a complete and decisive end to a relationship or connection.

wash its hands of

Idiomatic expression signifying a refusal to take responsibility.

repudiate any connection to

Formal rejection of any association or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "dissociate itself from" in a sentence?

You can use "dissociate itself from" when an organization or individual wants to publicly distance themselves from a particular action, statement, or group. For example: "The political party sought to "distance itself from" the scandal by "dissociating itself from" the actions of the former treasurer."

What are some alternatives to "dissociate itself from"?

Alternatives include "distance itself from", "separate itself from", "disengage itself from", or "detach itself from". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "dissociate itself from" instead of "separate itself from"?

"Dissociate itself from" is best used when emphasizing a rejection of affiliation, often due to negative implications, while "separate itself from" is a more neutral term for simply creating distance or distinction. If you want to convey disapproval, use "dissociate itself from"; otherwise, "separate itself from" is more appropriate.

What does it mean when a company says it "dissociates itself from" a statement?

It means the company is publicly declaring that it does not endorse or support the statement. They want to make it clear that they are not connected to it and do not want to be associated with it in any way. They might prefer to "distance themselves from" the comment.