unmarrying
Dissolving a marriage
Unmarrying is the process of undoing or dissolving a marriage, or more figuratively, separating things that were joined.
The word appears rarely in legal or formal contexts, more often in playful or metaphorical use: The couple spent years unmarrying their finances.
To unmarry suggests not just ending but actively reversing what marriage created.
Legal end of matrimony
- annulmentDeclared void from start
- nullificationFormal cancellation of validity
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- dissolutionBreaking up completely
separation · legal separation · ending · termination · uncoupling · disunion · split · breakup
Emotional separation between people
- alienationState of being isolated
- riftCrack or estrangement
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- disconnectionState of being severed
disaffection · heartbreak · grief · closure · healing · letting go · moving on · acceptance
Formal written appeal
- petitionerOne who formally requests
- respondentOne who gives answers
- groundsBasis for justification
- litigationLegal dispute process
mediation · settlement · alimony · custody · spousal support · prenuptial · postnuptial · matrimonial
Absence of constraint
- independenceFreedom from external control
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- releaseTo let go
unshackled · unfettered · unbound · new beginnings · reinvention · self-discovery · fresh start · reclaiming
Not joined or connected
- single againReturned to unattached status
- soloPerformance by one
- divorcedLegally ended marriage
- divorceeFormerly married person
uncoupled · singleness · bachelor · bachelorette · solitude · dating again · available · unpartnered
divorce
Legal end of matrimony
- annulmentDeclared void from start
- nullificationFormal cancellation of validity
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
dissolution · separation · legal separation · ending · termination · uncoupling · disunion · split · breakup · parting
estrangement
Emotional separation between people
- alienationState of being isolated
- riftCrack or estrangement
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
disconnection · disaffection · heartbreak · grief · closure · healing · letting go · moving on · acceptance · bitterness
petition
Formal written appeal
- petitionerOne who formally requests
- respondentOne who gives answers
- groundsBasis for justification
litigation · mediation · settlement · alimony · custody · spousal support · prenuptial · postnuptial · matrimonial · family law
freedom
Absence of constraint
- independenceFreedom from external control
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
release · unshackled · unfettered · unbound · new beginnings · reinvention · self-discovery · fresh start · reclaiming · unburdened
unattached
Not joined or connected
- single againReturned to unattached status
- soloPerformance by one
- divorcedLegally ended marriage
divorcee · uncoupled · singleness · bachelor · bachelorette · solitude · dating again · available · unpartnered
unmarryingmarrying
Entering into matrimony
wedding · getting married · tying the knot · exchanging vows · getting hitched
unmarryinguniting
Combining into one
bonding · committing · pledging · coupling · becoming one
marriage, marry, married, unmarried, marrying, marriages, marries, remarry, remarried