verb
dissociate
dih-SOH-see-ayt/dɪˈsəʊsieɪt/
To disconnect parts previously joined.
She dissociates herself from the group's decision to cancel the event.
Etymology
“Apart” reverses the joining expressed by sociare. The original idea of separating from companionship extends naturally to severing any association or connection, whether between people, groups, or things.
In context
Dissociation is the only way to maintain a double life. When you're in one life, you need to dissociate the other.
More examples
- It is hard to dissociate that song from childhood memories.
- During intense stress, he sometimes dissociates from his surroundings.
- When salt dissolves in water, it dissociates into ions.
Forms
dissociate · dissociates · dissociated · dissociating
dissociation noun — The separation of previously connected things.
Similar words
- separate
- Broader term for moving things apart or keeping them apart.
- disconnect
- Often refers to breaking a physical, electrical, or communication link.