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

• break down
• demount
• disassemble
• dismember
• dismount
• knock down
• strike
• take down

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

That same year, the new Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, dismantled Harpoon as part of an agency reorganization, according to Mr. Levy and others. —Justin Scheck, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2023

Contradictions are visible throughout Devlin’s projects: Massive sets are also ephemeral, designed to be built and dismantled in a matter of days. —Susannah Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2023

Navalny’s political operation has been largely dismantled and most of his team now lives in exile. —Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023

The Untouchables: read more of the NBC News federal law enforcement accountability series How the Supreme Court has effectively dismantled Bivens claims, the ability to file lawsuits against federal officials accused of violating constitutional rights. —Hannah Rappleye, NBC News, 8 Dec. 2023

Once the glass is room temperature, workers dismantle the oven and wash out the mirror’s ceramic innards, leaving it hollowed like a beehive. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023

But the agency would not explain whether that meant the encampment was dismantled or simply cleaned around or how large the encampments were, directing AP to the city attorney’s website for definitions. —Claire Rush, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2023

The digital age has dismantled many barriers, and music has become a borderless realm. —Anto Dotcom, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2023

But it was dismantled by the conservative majority in the 2023 case Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. —Fred Barbash, Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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