Skip to main content
to dissociate

to dissociate

3 6.7
To stop being involved with a person, group, or idea
  • verb
  • /dɪˈsoʊʃieɪt/
translation icon : disociar
  • They can't deal with it, so they start to dissociate from the situation.
  • dissociated from the church
  • never be dissociated

You push it down, I dissociate, I tune out.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • When faced with the unethical decision, she chose to dissociate from the group.

  • But Your Majesty must publicly dissociate herself from this most bloody act.

  • When I reach my limit, I start to dissociate somewhat.

    Blog text (22)
  • Committee members rush to dissociate themselves from Dodge.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Glabrus is my friend and I will not dissociate myself from his disgrace.

  • Because of China's proximity and power, confronting Beijing would force Asian states to dissociate themselves from the United States.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Although this is by no means an autobiographical narrative, Fugard's South African status means that she cannot fully dissociate herself from the national story she attempts to tell.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Greenberg isn't surprised lawmakers have dissociated themselves from the ALEC model, given the recent backlash.

    Blog text (5)
  • He found it easier to dissociate from his emotions during the stressful meeting.

  • To maintain her integrity, she had to dissociate herself from the harmful practices of the organization.

Synonyms

to leave
vsto dissociate
1.0

To go away from a place, person, or group

focuses specifically on breaking involvement with groups or ideas
to split
vsto dissociate
575 2.3

End a relationship or go separate ways

refers more to personal removal from involvement, not group directions
to separate
vsto dissociate
481 2.9

To move apart or stop being together

stresses voluntary ending of involvement with people, groups, or ideas
to withdraw
vsto dissociate
466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

often implies deliberate separation specifically from people or ideas
to back off
vsto dissociate
  • Informal
356 2.8

Move away from someone, or stop taking part in something

implies a clearer break or end of involvement rather than stepping back
to pull out
vsto dissociate
206 3.4

To stop being involved in an activity or agreement

focuses more on breaking overall involvement with groups or ideas
to split up
vsto dissociate
  • Informal
137 2.7

To end a close relationship and go separate ways

is wider, applying to many types of personal or idea separations
to pull away
vsto dissociate
86 3.5

To move away from people or a place to create space

is about full separation rather than the initial moving away
to disengage
vsto dissociate
82 5.3

To stop being part of or connected to something

emphasizes personal choice to end involvement rather than the release act
to pull out of
vsto dissociate
79 3.2

Leave an activity or agreement you had joined

is broader and can include ending identification as well as withdrawal
to distance oneself from
vsto dissociate
75 7.0

Keep away from someone or something to show no connection

covers separation broadly, not only emotional or social distancing
to divorce
vsto dissociate
59 4.6

To separate yourself completely from someone or something

can be less absolute and may mean simply step away
to break away
vsto dissociate
30 4.1

To leave an organization and form a separate group

is about individual separation from involvement without forming a new group
to break with
vsto dissociate
23 4.1

End a relationship with someone or something in a clear, final way

can be less formal and more about stepping away without ceremony
to disassociate
vsto dissociate
16 7.0

To end a connection with a person, group, or idea

is the alternate form used for the same separation action
to splinter
vsto dissociate
11 6.2

To leave a group and form a smaller, separate one often after disagreement

covers simple personal separation, not necessarily forming a new group
to drop out
vsto dissociate
8 4.4

To leave normal society and live a much simpler life

is broader and may mean simply ending specific involvement or ties
to cut the cord
vsto dissociate
  • Informal
5 6.6

To stop depending on someone or something and become independent

is a general term for breaking involvement, not only dependency ending
to untether
vsto dissociate
1 6.2

To free someone or something from limits so they can act more freely

is about personal or social disengagement rather than removing limits
to disaffiliate
vsto dissociate
  • Formal
1 7.5

To stop being a member of a group or organization

applies more generally to personal separation beyond formal membership
to disenroll
vsto dissociate
  • US
1 6.8

To stop being signed up for a course, program, or school

is not limited to administrative removal and covers personal detachment
to unattach
vsto dissociate
1 7.5

To stop feeling close to someone or something

is about ending involvement broadly, not just detaching attachments
to disidentify
vsto dissociate
8.9

Stop seeing yourself as part of a group or role

focuses on ending involvement rather than changing self identity

Antonyms

676 3.4

To take part in an activity

104 3.6

To join with others to work for a common purpose

How Detached

to sever
67 5.8
to dissociate
3 6.7
to detach
16 4.0
to withdraw
466 2.8

Surface Forms

dissociate infinitive
dissociated past participle
dissociating present participle
dissociates third person singular

Morphology

dissociate = associate (transparent) = dis + soci + ate

Knowing 'associate', learners can straightforwardly infer 'dissociate' as separating oneself from or ceasing connection with someone or something.

Etymology

Dissociate comes from the Latin parts dis- 'apart' and soci- (seen in social and associate) meaning 'companion' or 'join'. So, to dissociate yourself is to step 'apart' from a person, group, or idea.