disentangle
[ˌdɪsɪnˈtæŋɡəɫ]
Group 25Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To free from entanglement; to separate and clarify GRE
Example in Context
The forensic accountants worked for months to disentangle the complex web of transactions designed to obscure the flow of illicit funds.
Synonyms
untangleunravelsort out
Etymology
To touch apart — separating something that is tangled.
- dis- (Latin) — apart
- tangere (Latin) — to touch
Memory Aid
🧵Sounds like “this and tangle”
Imagine a giant spider saying 'DIS' to the tangled THING, it just can't handle the mess!
Visual Association
🪢A person triumphantly pulling apart a giant knot of ropes, declaring victory over the mess.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “disentangle” mean on the GRE?
disentangle (verb) means “To free from entanglement; to separate and clarify”. The forensic accountants worked for months to disentangle the complex web of transactions designed to obscure the flow of illicit funds.
How to remember “disentangle” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “disentangle” sounds like “this and tangle”. Imagine a giant spider saying 'DIS' to the tangled THING, it just can't handle the mess!
What are synonyms for “disentangle”?
Common synonyms: untangle, unravel, sort out.