dissociate

verb

Meaning

To mentally disconnect or separate oneself from a situation, memory, or feeling, often as a defense mechanism against trauma or extreme stress.

Examples

  • Many survivors of accidents report that they began to dissociate during the event to numb the physical pain.
  • He found it easier to dissociate from the conflict at work rather than engaging in the heated arguments.

Synonyms: separate, detach, disengage, distance, disassociate