extricate
To free from a difficult situation or entanglement
Examples
In a meeting
“We need to extricate ourselves from this unprofitable partnership.”
Over coffee
“I couldn't extricate myself from the awkward conversation.”
Why this word
remove
extricate implies freeing from entanglement or difficulty, remove is simply taking away
free
free is general, extricate specifically means disentangling from a complicated or constraining situation
escape
escape implies fleeing danger, extricate means carefully extracting oneself or another from complexity
Usage tip
Implies effort or difficulty in getting free; use when simply 'leaving' understates the challenge involved
Etymology
Latin extricare (ex- 'out' + tricae 'perplexities'), meaning to disentangle
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Related words
circumvent
To find a way around an obstacle or restriction.
diagnose
To identify the cause or nature of a problem through examination.
reconcile
Make two conflicting things compatible or resolve a disagreement
recourse
A source of help or option available in a difficult situation
finesse
To handle a situation skillfully and tactfully, often using subtle maneuvering
defuse
To reduce the danger or tension in a situation