Meaning & use

dissociate

verb·Academic

To separate or disconnect oneself, mentally or physically, from a person, group, or idea.

See it in a sentence

He tried to dissociate himself from the scandal by resigning immediately.

Some people dissociate from painful memories as a way of coping with trauma.

A note on using this word

In psychology, dissociate describes a mental detachment from reality or emotion, often as a stress response.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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