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🚶 To get free 🪢 To untangle 📊 To separate factors
to disentangle

to disentangle

1 7.4
To separate parts of data so they are easier to understand
  • verb
  • /ˌdɪsɪnˈtæŋɡəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : desagregar
  • The current study design does not allow us to disentangle these possibilities.
  • disentangle the effects
  • disentangle crucial components
  • difficult to disentangle

So it's hard to disentangle things, I think because, OK, I'm not going to give you the philosopher answer.

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Examples

  • The present study attempted to disentangle two possible explanations for the home disadvantage in sports.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Studies that do not try to disentangle this web of influences are not accepted by the top journals.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Our analysis suggests that it is very important to disentangle these processes.

    Academic text (1993)

  • How do we disentangle the influences of ideas, for example, from structural effects of society?

  • Still, we cannot fully disentangle the effects of multiple experiences from the type of victimization experienced.

    Academic text (1999)

  • For purposes of analysis, we need to disentangle the various components of this presumption.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Studies that can better infer causal relationships are needed to disentangle these relationships.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Additionally, this study was unable to disentangle age and cohort effects in examining the income gradient by age group.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Longitudinal research, particularly studies employing a cross-sequential design, may be able to disentangle the different effects of these respective variables.

    Academic text (2006)

  • To improve our findings, we must disentangle the primary factors affecting the results.

Synonyms

to separate
vsto disentangle
225 2.3

To tell how two things are different

focuses on isolating underlying explanatory factors rather than only distinguishing items
to separate from
vsto disentangle
219 2.7

To keep one thing apart from another so they do not mix

aims to uncover independent factors inside data rather than only keeping items apart
to compartmentalize
vsto disentangle
24 7.4

To separate parts of your life, work, or feelings so they stay apart

targets independent explanatory factors in data rather than mere isolation
to untangle
vsto disentangle
12 4.9

To free someone from a difficult or confusing situation

focuses on separating underlying data factors to make representations interpretable
to disaggregate
vsto disentangle
  • Specialized
3 7.5

To separate something into smaller parts to study it

aims to find independent underlying factors for clearer interpretation
to decouple
vsto disentangle
2 7.3

Treat two things as separate even if they are linked

focuses on hidden factors in learned data for easier interpretation
to dissociate
vsto disentangle
2 7.0

To treat two things as separate and not related

aims to uncover independent underlying factors rather than only treating items as unrelated
to deconstruct
vsto disentangle
  • Specialized
1 7.1

Break a data structure into separate parts for use in code

focuses on revealing independent explanatory factors, not just assigning parts to variables
to disjoin
vsto disentangle
1 7.4

Separate things that are attached to each other

works to isolate underlying data factors so they become independent and interpretable
to orthogonalize
vsto disentangle
  • Specialized
9.9

Arrange ideas or parts so they do not affect each other

focuses on isolating underlying factors in data for easier interpretation
to ravel out
vsto disentangle
6.7

To separate twisted threads or make a confused situation clear

works on separating hidden factors in data for clearer interpretation
to ravel
vsto disentangle
6.5

To untangle threads or cords that are twisted together

aims to isolate independent underlying factors rather than just pulling elements apart
to disembroil
vsto disentangle
  • Formal
9.9

To free a person or thing from a difficult situation

concerns separating hidden factors in data for independence and interpretation

How Disentangled

to disentangle
  • Specialized
1 7.4
to factorize
  • Specialized
7.7
to separate
225 2.3
to entangle
6 4.9
to mix up
  • Informal
65 2.7

Surface Forms

disentangle infinitive
disentangled past
disentangled past participle
disentangling present participle
disentangles third person singular

Morphology

disentangle = entangle (semi-transparent) = dis + entangle

The machine-learning sense ('separate underlying factors') is a metaphorical, technical extension of 'untangle' and may not be fully obvious to general learners.

Etymology

The word disentangle comes from dis- meaning 'undo' and tangle meaning 'a knot or mess', and in machine learning it keeps the same image: pulling threads apart. So to disentangle features in data is to separate mixed parts so each part is clear and easier to understand.