to wean

Examples

• All

• Parents often find it challenging to wean their children off pacifiers before bedtime.

• California had to diversify its economy and wean itself from heavy dependence on defense industries.

  Academic text (2001)

• But but this is how we need to, we need to wean countries off of Russian oil and gas.

  Julian Dorey

• And then we slowly wean them off it.

  The Vow (2012)

• And I'm not saying that should not be the goal, but many need to wean themselves off.

  Stephan Speaks

• And so now you can wean yourself off the addiction.

• So I have been able to wean him off treats almost entirely.

  Molly Burke

• We have a substitute that can help wean you off heroin.

  Ray (2004)

• We're weaning him off diapers.

  Little Fockers (2010)

• Washington, eager to wean its European partners from dependence on Russia, favors construction of rival pipelines such as Nabucco.

  Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

L

to let go

vsto wean

∞ 1.4

To stop holding something or someone so they are free

is a slow detachment of affection and dependence rather than a simple release

P

to pull away

vsto wean

86 3.5

To move away from people or a place to create space

is a steady process of reducing dependence and affection rather than initial movement

D

to distance oneself from

vsto wean

75 7.0

Keep away from someone or something to show no connection

is a gradual detachment of affection and dependence rather than deliberate separation

D

to divorce

vsto wean

59 4.6

To separate yourself completely from someone or something

is a gradual process to reduce reliance and affection rather than total separation

D

to disassociate

vsto wean

16 7.0

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

is a slow, gradual reduction of dependence and emotional attachment instead

C

to cut the cord

vsto wean

• Informal

5 6.6

To stop depending on someone or something and become independent

is gradual detachment of affection and reliance rather than a sudden break

D

to dissociate

vsto wean

3 6.7

To stop being involved with a person, group, or idea

is about slowly lessening affection and reliance rather than abrupt separation

E

to estrange

vsto wean

• Formal

2 7.5

Make someone feel distant from family or friends

is a gradual detachment for independence rather than causing hostility or unfriendliness

U

to unattach

vsto wean

1 7.5

To stop feeling close to someone or something

is a gradual process of reducing emotional dependence over time

Antonyms

A

to attach

459 2.5

To join or fasten one thing to another so they stay together

How Attached

to cling

240 2.1

to attach

239 2.9

to wean

23 5.9

to let go

381 3.7

Surface Forms

Etymology