Detach — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /di-ˈtach/ de·tach

Meaning & Definition of Detach

Detach (verb)

  1. to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage
  2. disengage, withdraw

Detach (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to take (something) away from or off of something else to which it is joined

    "Detach the lower portion of the invoice and send it back with your payment."

    similar: separate, remove, break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, part, ramify, resolve, sever, split, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke, disengage, disentangle, unravel, untie, unfasten, break, fracture, pull, rend, rift, rip, rive, rupture, tear, cut off, insulate, isolate, seclude, segregate, sequester, break down, decompose, disassemble, disintegrate, dissolve, bifurcate, bisect, cleave, dichotomize, dissect, fractionalize, fractionate, halve, partition, quarter, segment, subdivide, trisect, fragment, fragmentate, fragmentize, cut, gash, incise, lacerate, notch, slash, slit, penetrate, perforate, puncture
    opposite: assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld, consolidate, join, link, merge, unify, unite, fill, darn, heal, mend, repair, patch, plug, seal, sew, stitch, suture

  2. to avoid engaging with or participating in something

    "They were reticent people, completely detached from social life."

    similar: disengage, disentangle, pull away, flee, fly, flinch, recoil, shrink, chicken (out), bow out, back down, backpedal, backtrack, climb down, abandon, depart, evacuate, go, leave, quit, vacate, back away, drop back, fall back, pull out, recede, retire, retreat, withdraw
    opposite: beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave, advance

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Detach

The most common words with a similar meaning to Detach:

separate, remove, break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, part, ramify, resolve, sever, split, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke, disengage, disentangle, unravel, untie, unfasten, break, fracture, pull, rend, rift, rip, rive, rupture, tear, cut off, insulate, isolate, seclude

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Detach

Words with the opposite meaning of Detach:

assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld, consolidate, join, link, merge, unify, unite, fill, darn, heal, mend, repair

Word Forms of Detach

Inflections: detached, detaching, detaches

Derived words: detachability (noun), detachable (adjective), detachably (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Detach

French détacher, from Old French destachier, from des- de- + -tachier (as in atachier to attach)

First known use: 1686

Frequently Asked Questions about Detach

What does "Detach" mean?

"Detach" means to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage. As a verb, it is defined as: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Detach"?

Other words for "Detach" include separate, remove, break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin and disjoint. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Detach" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Detach"?

There are 100 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Detach". Common alternatives include separate, remove, break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever and dissociate.

What is the opposite of "Detach"?

Antonyms of "Detach" include assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect and couple.

How do you use "Detach" in a sentence?

Examples of "Detach" in a sentence: "Detach the lower portion of the invoice and send it back with your payment."; "They were reticent people, completely detached from social life.".

Is "Detach" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Detach" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Detach"?

"Detach" is pronounced /di-ˈtach/ and divided into syllables as de·tach.

What is the origin of the word "Detach"?

"Detach" comes from French détacher, from Old French destachier, from des- de- + -tachier (as in atachier to attach). First known use: 1686.