Unmooring

The act of releasing or becoming detached from a secure or fixed position, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical. It describes the process of losing one's stability, foundation, or the things that provide a sense of belonging and order. This can apply to boats detaching from their moorings, individuals losing a sense of purpose or identity, or societal structures losing their equilibrium. It often implies a state of vulnerability, uncertainty, and a disruption of established norms or routines.

Unmooring meaning with examples

• The storm's fury threatened to tear the boats from their moorings, leaving them at the mercy of the waves. The crew desperately fought to maintain the anchors' grip.
• After her sudden job loss, Sarah felt her life unmooring; she was adrift, struggling to find new direction and purpose.