dismantle

verb dis·man·tle \ (ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Examples: dismantle in a Sentence

Definition of dismantle

dismantled; dismantling play \-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

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dismantlement

play \-ˈman-tᵊl-mənt\ noun

See dismantle defined for English-language learners

See dismantle defined for kids

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 of dismantle from the Web

The trailer was completely dismantled and partially hung over the bridge.

— samantha ketterer, Houston Chronicle, "18-wheeler carrying produce overturns in NE Houston," 13 July 2018
Question 3 would dismantle Massachusetts’ transgender anti-discrimination law.

— joshua miller, BostonGlobe.com, "The question order has been set for the fall ballot," 9 July 2018
By Monday afternoon, the building’s cupola — the dome-like structure atop the building — had been dismantled.

— caitlin mccabe, Philly.com, "Developer Ori Feibush begins demolition of Christian Street Baptist," 9 July 2018
Larger arsenals have been dismantled elsewhere, but in kinder political climates.

— The Economist, "North Korea presents nuclear disarmament’s biggest challenge yet," 5 July 2018
Both the front and back end of the car were dismantled.

— scott gleeson, USA TODAY, "Texas standouts Kris Boyd, B.J. Foster involved in scary car crash," 5 July 2018
Still, the test missile engine site that Mr. Trump told reporters was being dismantled still stands, satellite pictures show.

— david e. sanger, New York Times, "How Trump Went From ‘Fire and Fury’ to Dismissing North Korean Nuclear Advances," 4 July 2018
Some protesters' tents were dismantled, according to the station.

— alex sundby, CBS News, "Portland ICE facility protesters moved by Homeland Security agents," 28 June 2018
By 2000, other US courts had dismantled meaningful limits on patenting software—a situation exemplified by Amazon's infamous 1999 patent on the concept of shopping with one click.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Why a 40-year-old SCOTUS ruling against software patents still matters today," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dismantle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dismantle

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

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First Known Use: 1579

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

dismantle Synonyms

DISMANTLE Defined for English Language Learners

dismantle

verb

Definition of dismantle for English Language Learners

: to take (something, such as a machine or structure) apart so that it is in separate pieces
: to destroy (something) in an orderly way : to gradually cause (something) to come to an end