Standard Lemma guide

disengage

noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˌdɪsɪŋˈɡeɪd͡ʒ/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -eɪdʒ
  • CMU ARPABET: D IH0 S IH0 N G EY1 JH Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A circular movement of the blade that avoids the opponent's parry

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: fencing, government, hobbies, lifestyle, martial-arts, military, politics, sports, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To release or loosen from something that binds, entangles, holds, or interlocks.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: detach, disentangle, free, unfasten

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

become free

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • in neutral, the gears disengage

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: engage

Broader terms: change state, turn

Narrower terms: unlock, declutch

4

verb

Meaning 4

free or remove obstruction from

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • free a path across the cluttered floor

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: free

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: dig out, unclog, unstuff, loosen up, extricate, untangle, disentangle, disencumber

5

verb

Meaning 5

release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I want to disengage myself from his influence
  • disengage the gears

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: withdraw

Antonyms: engage

Broader terms: let go of, let go, release, relinquish

Narrower terms: unlock

History

Etymology

From Middle French désengager ; dis- + engage.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bashkir: ысҡындырыу (ısqındırıw) — release, detach
  • Bulgarian: отвързвам (otvǎrzvam) — release, detach
  • Bulgarian: освобождавам (osvoboždavam) — release, detach
  • French: désengager — release, detach
  • German: ausklinken — release, detach
  • German: aushaken — release, detach
  • German: entkuppeln — release, detach
  • Malagasy: manafaka — release, detach
  • Māori: whakatangatanga — release, detach
  • Māori: ui — release, detach
  • Spanish: desenganchar — release, detach
  • Spanish: desatar — release, detach
  • Spanish: liberar — release, detach
  • Spanish: retirar — release, detach
  • Spanish: desacoplar — release, detach
  • Spanish: desasir — release, detach
  • Spanish: cesar el contacto — release, detach
  • Spanish: desembragar — release, detach
  • Spanish: cortar el contacto — release, detach
  • Spanish: terminar el contacto — release, detach
  • Spanish: finalizar el contacto — release, detach
  • Spanish: acabar el contacto — release, detach
  • Spanish: desengranar — release, detach
  • Spanish: desviar la atención — release, detach