dissect

verb

dis·​sect dī-ˈsekt 

also

di-  ˈdī-ˌsekt 

dissected; dissecting; dissects

transitive verb

1

: to separate into pieces : expose the several parts of (something, such as an animal) for scientific examination

dissect an earthworm

dissecting flowers

2

: to analyze and interpret minutely

dissect a problem

intransitive verb

: to make a dissection

dissector

dī-ˈsek-tər

 

also

di- 

ˈdī-ˌsek-

noun

Synonyms of dissect

• analyze
• examine

Choose the Right Synonym for dissect

analyze, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements.

analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.

analyzed the collected data

dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.

commentators dissected every word of the speech

break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.

break down the budget

Examples of dissect in a Sentence

We dissected a frog in science class.

She dissected each point of his argument.

We dissected the poem in class.

The city is dissected by a network of highways.

Recent Examples on the Web

Stan Wars, co-hosted by Ian Slater (H3) and Olivia Lopes (H3, Rodiculous Pod), digs into the big pop culture debates of our time, dissecting the various arguments within the entertainment world to determine who is right and who is wrong. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

The original medical examiner is dead, so the replacement, Lisa Gavin, examined slides of Shakur’s bloated cadaver with the dispassion of a science teacher dissecting a frog. — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Content creators from across the political spectrum are making guides on the best tools to cut down Flock cameras, blasting them off poles with shotguns, and dissecting every misstep the company makes. — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026

Most of that gap came via the right arm of sophomore quarterback Ford Green, who dissected the Chargers, completing 14 of 18 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns. — Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin dissectus, past participle of dissecare to cut apart, from dis- + secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dissect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• effect
• eject

Kids Definition

dissect

verb

dis·​sect dī-ˈsekt  ˈdi-  ˈdī-ˌsekt 

1

: to cut up (as a plant or animal) into separate parts for examination and study

2

: to make a careful examination of

dissect a problem

Etymology

from Latin dissectus, past participle of dissecare "to cut apart," from dis- "apart" and secare "to cut" — related to insect, section

Medical Definition

dissect

transitive verb

dis·​sect dis-ˈekt; dī-ˈsekt  ˈdī-ˌ 

: to cut so as to separate into pieces or to expose the several parts of (as an animal or a cadaver) for scientific examination

specifically : to separate or follow along natural lines of cleavage (as through connective tissue)

dissect out the regional lymph nodes

a dissecting aneurysm

intransitive verb

: to make a medical dissection

dissector

-ər 

noun