What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unmoored
Example
The boat became unmoored during the storm and drifted out to sea. [unmoored: adjective]
Example
After quitting her job, she felt unmoored and unsure of what to do next. [unmoored: verb]
Example
His argument was unmoored from any factual evidence and lacked credibility. [unmoored: adjective]
untethered
Example
The drone flew untethered through the sky, capturing stunning aerial footage. [untethered: adjective]
Example
After retiring, he felt untethered from the responsibilities and pressures of work. [untethered: verb]
Example
Her artistic style was untethered from traditional techniques and pushed boundaries. [untethered: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Untethered is more commonly used than unmoored in everyday language. Untethered is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unmoored is less common and often used in specific contexts such as nautical or emotional.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unmoored and untethered?
Unmoored is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language, while untethered is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.