dismantle
verb
dis·man·tle
(ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl 
dismantled; dismantling
(ˌ)dis-ˈmant-liŋ
-ˈman-tᵊl-
1
: to disconnect the pieces of
will have to dismantle the engine
also
: to destroy the integrity or functioning of
The program was later dismantled due to a lack of funding.
2
: to strip of dress or covering : divest
3
: to strip of furniture and equipment
dismantled the ship before scrapping it
Examples of dismantle in a Sentence
The mechanic dismantled the engine to repair it.
When will they dismantle the old bridge?
The after-school program was dismantled due to lack of funding.
He accuses them of trying to dismantle the country's legal system.
Recent Examples on the Web
The continuation of the trial will leave the states to press claims to further dismantle a monopoly the Justice Department said was squelching competition and driving up prices for fans.
—
Larry Neumeister, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
While Soviet authorities entombed that plant in concrete, Tokyo decided on a very different approach — the Fukushima Dai-ichi facility would be entirely dismantled.
—Yusuke Maekawa, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
The March 7, 1965, violence that became known as Bloody Sunday shocked the nation and helped spur passage of the landmark legislation that dismantled barriers to voting for Black Americans in the Jim Crow South.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
The Aggies only faced the Gamecocks once, but dismantled them 92-69 in College Station.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismantle
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Larry Neumeister, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
While Soviet authorities entombed that plant in concrete, Tokyo decided on a very different approach — the Fukushima Dai-ichi facility would be entirely dismantled.
—Yusuke Maekawa, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
The March 7, 1965, violence that became known as Bloody Sunday shocked the nation and helped spur passage of the landmark legislation that dismantled barriers to voting for Black Americans in the Jim Crow South.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
The Aggies only faced the Gamecocks once, but dismantled them 92-69 in College Station.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismantle
Cite this Entry
“Dismantle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismantle. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dismantle
verb
dis·man·tle
(ˈ)dis-ˈmant-ᵊl
dismantled; dismantling
-ˈmant-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to take to pieces : take apart
dismantled the engine to repair it
2
: to strip of furniture and equipment
dismantle an office
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