disembarrass

verb

ˌdis-əm-ˈber-əs How to pronounce disembarrass (audio)
Definition of disembarrassnext
as in to free
to set free from entanglement or difficulty still struggling to disembarrass herself of the emotional baggage of a failed relationship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disembarrass differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disembarrass are disencumber, disentangle, extricate, and untangle. While all these words mean "to free from what binds or holds back," disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders.

disembarrassed herself of her advisers

When might disencumber be a better fit than disembarrass?

In some situations, the words disencumber and disembarrass are roughly equivalent. However, disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down.

an article disencumbered of jargon

How do disentangle and untangle relate to one another, in the sense of disembarrass?

Both disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things.

disentangling fact from fiction
untangle a web of deceit

When is it sensible to use extricate instead of disembarrass?

The words extricate and disembarrass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation.

extricated himself from financial difficulties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disembarrass
  1. free
  2. save
  3. liberate
  4. redeem
  5. extricate
Verb
  • Companies can focus on strategic goals and innovation by freeing their teams from repetitive, manual work.
    — Michael Goshka, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • This second phase was to begin with an agreement on permanently ending the war before the release of all living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Israeli freeing high-profile Palestinian prisoners.
    — Aya Batrawy, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of free
Verb
  • There's no one at home to keep comfortable, and lowering the temperature in winter or increasing it in summer will save real money on your utility bills.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
  • An autosave feature would be helpful for the future since most people assume programs automatically save their work.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of save
Verb
  • This might fly in the face of everything a business leader has been taught about being an expert, but trust me, the results of this kind of thinking are liberating.
    — Christian Davies FCSD, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • That was really liberating at the time for women and looked scary to men.
    — A Martínez, NPR, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of liberate
Verb
  • Best of all, travelers can also redeem Alaska Air Mileage Plan frequent flyer miles for the one-way deals on select flights as low as 4,500 miles.
    — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
  • UConn won last year’s meeting in Portland 80-73 as the 3-seed, but USC redeemed itself with a 72-70 upset of the Huskies in Hartford on Dec. 21 this season.
    — Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of redeem
Verb
  • Wright said an injured woman had to be extricated by crews with the New London Fire Department.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Austen is trying to repair a friendship, and Craig is trying to extricate himself from a business deal and attempt to do it on the cheap.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
Definition of extricate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Disembarrass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disembarrass. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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