uncouple
Separate joined parts
To uncouple is to disconnect or separate things that were joined together.
The word applies literally to train cars or other linked machinery: The engineer uncoupled the damaged freight car.
It extends to relationships and abstract connections: She needed to uncouple her sense of self-worth from her job performance.
In psychology and economics, uncoupling often describes deliberately breaking a dependency or correlation that had seemed natural or inevitable.
To separate from
- disconnectTo break a connection
- unhookRelease from a curved fastener
- unlinkSever a connection
- disengageBreak free from attachment
unfasten · unhitch · unclip · unbolt · unlatch · unpin · unplug · unclasp
To set apart
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- partPiece of whole
- splitSeparation into parts
- dissociateSever a mental link
disaffiliate · sever · estrange · distance · detach · dissolve · end · terminate
Sever a mental link
- separateTo set apart
- distinguishRecognize as distinct
- disentangleFree from snarls
- isolateSeparate from others
unbundle · segregate · differentiate · partition · compartmentalize · abstract · divorce · disassociate
Without payment or restriction
- liberateSet free from captivity
- releaseTo let go
- emancipateGrant freedom to
- unshackleRemove bonds from
unfetter · unleash · unbound · loosen · extricate · disenthrall · untether · unrestrained
detach
To separate from
- disconnectTo break a connection
- unhookRelease from a curved fastener
- unlinkSever a connection
disengage · unfasten · unhitch · unclip · unbolt · unlatch · unpin · unplug · unclasp · unbuckle
separate
To set apart
dissociate · disaffiliate · sever · estrange · distance · detach · dissolve · end · terminate · disband
dissociate
Sever a mental link
- separateTo set apart
- distinguishRecognize as distinct
- disentangleFree from snarls
isolate · unbundle · segregate · differentiate · partition · compartmentalize · abstract · divorce · disassociate · independent
free
Without payment or restriction
- liberateSet free from captivity
- releaseTo let go
- emancipateGrant freedom to
unshackle · unfetter · unleash · unbound · loosen · extricate · disenthrall · untether · unrestrained · autonomous
- disconnectingdetaching, disconnect, disengaging, detach, disconnecting
- unfasteningunfasten, detach, disconnect, unbuckle, unbutton