Extricate Definition in a Sentence
ex·tri·cate | \ ˈek-strə-ˌkāt 
\
Definition of extricate
transitive verb
1 : to free or remove from an entanglement or difficulty
2 a : to distinguish from a related thing
Other Words from extricate
extricable \ ik-ˈstri-kə-bəl , ek-ˈstri- , ˈek-(ˌ)stri- \ adjective
extrication \ ˌek-strə-ˈkā-shən \ noun
Choose the Right Synonym for extricate
extricate, disentangle, untangle, disencumber, disembarrass mean to free from what binds or holds back. extricate implies the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult position or situation. extricated himself from financial difficulties disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking separation of a thing from other things. disentangling fact from fiction untangle a web of deceit disencumber implies a release from something that clogs or weighs down. an article disencumbered of jargon disembarrass suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders. disembarrassed herself of her advisers
Did you know?
It can take an ample amount of dexterity - manual, verbal, or mental - to free yourself from a tangled situation. This can be seen in extricate, a word derived from Latin extricatus, which combines the prefix ex- ("out of") with the noun tricae, meaning "trifles or perplexities." (The resemblance of tricae to our word trick is no illusion; it's an ancestor.) While a number of words (such as "disentangle") share with extricate the meaning of "to free from difficulty," extricate suggests the act of doing so with care and ingenuity, as in "Through months of careful budgeting, he was able to extricate himself from his financial burdens."
Examples of extricate in a Sentence
Several survivors were extricated from the wreckage. They extricated the tractor from the mud. She hasn't been able to extricate herself from her legal problems.
See More 
Recent Examples on the Web The pedestal is to remain for the time being, although workers are expected to remove decorative plaques and extricate a time capsule on Thursday. — NBC News, 8 Sep. 2021 The pedestal is to remain for the time being, although workers are expected to remove decorative plaques and extricate a time capsule on Thursday. — Sarah Rankin, chicagotribune.com, 8 Sep. 2021 The pedestal is to remain for the time being, although workers are expected to remove decorative plaques and extricate a time capsule on Thursday. — Denise Lavoie And Sarah Rankin, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2021 The pedestal is to remain for the time being, although workers are expected to remove decorative plaques and extricate a time capsule on Thursday. — Sarah Rankin And Denise Lavoie, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2021 Saffold said his client tried to extricate himself from the argument but that his wife shot at him. — Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 4 June 2021 Spears is in the midst of trying to extricate herself from a 13-year conservatorship — which severely restricts her control over her own life. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 19 Aug. 2021 After a mountain biker called to report the fire, an investigator with the U.S. Forest Service found Mr. Maynard on a rutted road trying to extricate his car, which had gotten stuck on a boulder. — New York Times, 8 Oct. 2021 Stone said firefighters had to put out a small fire, due to diesel fuel spill, and extricate the driver from the wreckage. — Alice Fabbre, chicagotribune.com, 4 Oct. 2021
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'extricate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
See More
First Known Use of extricate
1601, in the meaning defined at sense 2b
History and Etymology for extricate
Latin extricatus, past participle of extricare, from ex- + tricae trifles, perplexities
Learn More About extricate
Listen to Our Podcast About extricate
Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!
Statistics for extricate
Cite this Entry
"Extricate." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extricate. Accessed 9 Dec. 2021.
More Definitions for extricate
ex·tri·cate | \ ˈek-strə-ˌkāt \
Kids Definition of extricate
: to free from a trap or difficulty
Extricate Definition in a Sentence
Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extricate