disengage
Release and separate
To disengage is to release from connection or involvement.
Gears disengage when they separate; soldiers disengage when they withdraw from combat; a person disengages from a conversation by tuning out or walking away.
The word implies a deliberate uncoupling: She disengaged her hand from his grip.
Disengaged describes someone emotionally detached or uninvolved: The students seemed completely disengaged.
To let go
- unlockOpen a secured closure
- unfastenRelease from attachment
- unhookRelease from a curved fastener
- unboltSlide a bar open
uncouple · unclasp · disentangle · detach · disconnect · unlatch · decouple · separate
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- pull-backDeliberate rearward movement
- recedeMove back from
- disentangleFree from snarls
- step-backBrief rearward movement
exit · depart · leave · evacuate · fall-back · extract · extricate · withdraw
Agreed halt to fighting
- de-escalateReduce intensity of conflict
- stand-downWithdrawal from combat readiness
- truceAgreed halt to hostilities
- armisticeAgreement to cease hostilities
pull-out · demilitarize · disentangle · extricate · withdraw · retreat · cessation · peace
To break a connection
Cessation of operations
- turn-offSomething that repulses
- disableRemove functional capacity
- decommissionWithdraw from operational use
- neutralizeCancel an effect
disarm · halt · suspend · interrupt · cut · standby · idle · offline
Deceptive mock attack
Separation or emotional uninvolvement
- aloofnessEmotional unavailability, standoffishness
- indifferenceLack of interest
- disinterestAbsence of bias
- apathyAbsence of feeling
distance · disconnection · remoteness · withdrawal · numbness · dissociation · unconcern · dispassion
release
To let go
unbolt · uncouple · unclasp · disentangle · detach · disconnect · unlatch · decouple · separate · loosen
retreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- pull-backDeliberate rearward movement
- recedeMove back from
- disentangleFree from snarls
step-back · exit · depart · leave · evacuate · fall-back · extract · extricate · withdraw · distance
ceasefire
Agreed halt to fighting
- de-escalateReduce intensity of conflict
- stand-downWithdrawal from combat readiness
- truceAgreed halt to hostilities
armistice · pull-out · demilitarize · disentangle · extricate · withdraw · retreat · cessation · peace · neutrality
disconnect
To break a connection
shutdown
Cessation of operations
- turn-offSomething that repulses
- disableRemove functional capacity
- decommissionWithdraw from operational use
neutralize · disarm · halt · suspend · interrupt · cut · standby · idle · offline · inactivate
feint
Deceptive mock attack
lunge · épée · foil · sabre · touché · bout · counter-attack
detachment
Separation or emotional uninvolvement
- aloofnessEmotional unavailability, standoffishness
- indifferenceLack of interest
- disinterestAbsence of bias
apathy · distance · disconnection · remoteness · withdrawal · numbness · dissociation · unconcern · dispassion · coldness
- DIS- wordsdisagree, disallow, disbelieve, disapprove, disarray
- disconnectingdetaching, disconnect, detach, disconnecting, severing
- maneuversmaneuver, feint, sidestep, dodge, evasion
- separationsseparate, split, break up, parting, sever
- unfasteningunfasten, detach, disconnect, unbuckle, unbutton
- disconnectiondisconnection, unplug, detach, sever, separation
disengaged, disengagement, disengaging, disengages, disengagements