dismantle

verb

dis·​man·​tle (ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl 

dismantled; dismantling (ˌ)dis-ˈmant-liŋ 

-ˈman-tᵊl-

transitive verb

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

dismantlement

(ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl-mənt 

noun

Synonyms of dismantle

• disassemble
• detach
• disconnect
• dismember
• strike
• dismount
• divide

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

On Thursday, as the army deployed in Qusra, members of his Cabinet celebrated the rebuilding of a settlement that had been dismantled in 2005 as part of the Gaza withdrawal. — Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Atlanta Jewish Times Publisher Michael Morris, in a scathing rebuke, sought to dismantle Ossoff’s reasoning. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026

Safeguards discarded Consider the administration’s efforts to dismantle the federal government’s watchdog system. — Max Taves, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

Israeli soldiers and border police arrived at the hilltop on Wednesday, dismantled the settlers’ tent and began trying to remove the settlers from the area. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French desmanteler, from des- dis- + mantel mantle

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dismantle

• mantel
• santal

Kids 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

dismantlement

-ˈmant-ᵊl-mənt 

noun