de-
Undoing action indicator
De- is a prefix with two main functions.
It reverses or undoes an action: defrost, deactivate, decompose.
It also indicates removal or separation: dethrone, declaw, debug.
The prefix attaches productively to verbs, letting speakers coin new words as needed: de-escalate, deprioritize, de-platform.
Reverse a prior action
- reverseTurn to opposite
- removeTake something away
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- unfastenRelease from attachment
untangle · unravel · cancel · negate · retract · withdraw · rollback · backtrack
Toward lower ground
- lowerReduce or move downward
- descendMove to lower position
- dropFall or release
- fallDescend under gravity
sink · decline · decrease · diminish · reduce · depress · subside · plunge
To withhold or remove
- denyRefuse to admit
- defameHarm reputation falsely
- degradeLower in standing
- demoteLower someone's position
denounce · demerit · devalue · depreciate · discredit · dishonor · disgrace · disown
To separate from
- divideSeparate into parts
- disengageBreak free from attachment
- disentangleFree from snarls
- dissociateSever a mental link
decouple · delink · diverge · deviate · depart · branch · split · sever
In complete detail
- completelyTo the fullest extent
- entirelyTo the full extent
- fullyTo the complete extent
- utterlyTo the fullest extent
deeply · decidedly · definitely · demonstrably · declare · denote · designate · determine
undo
Reverse a prior action
unfasten · untangle · unravel · cancel · negate · retract · withdraw · rollback · backtrack · restore
down
Toward lower ground
fall · sink · decline · decrease · diminish · reduce · depress · subside · plunge · dive
deprive
To withhold or remove
demote · denounce · demerit · devalue · depreciate · discredit · dishonor · disgrace · disown · disavow
detach
To separate from
- divideSeparate into parts
- disengageBreak free from attachment
- disentangleFree from snarls
dissociate · decouple · delink · diverge · deviate · depart · branch · split · sever · isolate
thoroughly
In complete detail
- completelyTo the fullest extent
- entirelyTo the full extent
- fullyTo the complete extent
utterly · deeply · decidedly · definitely · demonstrably · declare · denote · designate · determine · demand
extract
Concentrated derived substance
purge · cleanse · expel · eject · excise · delete · erase · subtract · take away · rid