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untethered

untethered

5 6.7
Not tied to anything and able to move freely
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈtɛðərd/
translation icon : libre
  • Living an untethered life allows her to travel whenever and wherever she wants.
  • become untethered

Because you're, you're untethered to something, right?

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Examples

  • You know, the life of a carnival worker keeps me free and untethered.

  • After years of hard work, he finally felt untethered, free to pursue his passions.

  • Yes, this person is untethered from reality.

  • Because for a second there, you seemed untethered.

  • You know, it's great to be completely untethered.

  • I lost my daughter almost a month ago, and I am definitely feeling very untethered.

    Blog text (4)
  • So stop by Four Barrel for a cup, and live untethered in the moment for a moment.

    Blog text (32)
  • I'm cut loose, untethered, not belonging to anything or anybody.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • We're completely untethered, Burt.

  • The untethered kite soared high in the sky, dancing with the wind.

Synonyms

unrestrained
vsuntethered
13 5.7

Not held back and showing strong feelings or actions

focuses more on physical freedom from a connection rather than emotional release
unbound
vsuntethered
5 5.2

Not tied or held, able to move and act freely

is specifically about being freed from a single connecting line rather than all bonds
unmoored
vsuntethered
3 7.0

Not held in place and often feels unstable or uncertain

is similar but more about losing a single tethered connection
unchained
vsuntethered
3 4.4

Not held by chains and free to act or feel as you want

is similar but centres specifically on release from one connecting line
unshackled
vsuntethered
2 5.7

Free from chains or things that hold someone back

emphasizes freedom from a single line connection rather than general absence of chains
unattached
vsuntethered
2 4.2

Not fixed to anything so it can move freely

is about being free from a single fixed connection rather than general looseness
untied
vsuntethered
2 1.6

Free from ropes or chains and able to move

focuses on freedom from a specific connecting line rather than only release from restraints
untrammeled
vsuntethered
  • Formal
2 8.3

Free and not limited by rules

is narrower, centring on lack of a direct physical connection rather than total freedom
unhindered
vsuntethered
1 4.6

Free to move forward without being stopped

concerns movement without obstacles rather than absence of a fixed attachment
uncaged
vsuntethered
1 4.1

Free to express strong feelings and ideas

is about release from a direct connection rather than wild behaviour
uncoupled
vsuntethered
1 4.9

Not joined to something it was attached to before

is broader, stressing not being fixed to any support or line
unhampered
vsuntethered
1 5.3

Free to move or act without being stopped

focuses on lack of obstacles rather than missing a single connecting line
unfastened
vsuntethered
2.4

Not tied, closed, or attached

emphasizes release from a single attachment rather than mere looseness
unanchored
vsuntethered
6.4

Not attached or held in place so it can move

highlights being free from a direct connection rather than simply lacking support
unroped
vsuntethered
  • Jargon
6.8

Not tied with a rope

is wider, applying to any missing fixed connection not only rope use
untrapped
vsuntethered
4.8

Free from something that holds you so you can move or act

is more specific about being free from a single tethered link
unhemmed
vsuntethered
6.8

Free and not limited by rules or control

is more literal, stressing freedom from a specific physical connection

Antonyms

11 5.3

To form the edge or limit of an area

5.1

Held by a rope or chain so it cannot move far

Compounds

A state of freedom without ties or limits

Free from any tie and able to move or act freely

How Free

liberated
4.9
unrestrained
13 5.7
free
1.0
untethered
5 6.7
loose
155 1.0

Surface Forms

untethered positive

Morphology

untethered = untether (transparent) = un + tether + ed

The step from 'untether' to 'untethered' is regular adjectival/past-participial formation using productive '-ed'.

Etymology

Untethered comes from the prefix un- meaning 'not' and the word tether meaning 'a rope used to tie an animal'. So, untethered means 'not tied' or not held back, free to move like a dog running without a leash or an astronaut floating free outside a station.