dismantle

verb dis·man·tle \ (ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

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 United Nations mission in Central African Republic says at least three people have been killed and 30 wounded during a joint operation with the military to dismantle the bases of armed groups inside the capital.

— Fox News, "3 dead, 30 wounded in raid by UN-C. African Republic forces," 8 Apr. 2018
The move also positions Pruitt to dismantle the Clean Water Rule, a regulation proposed in 2015 to clarify what falls under federal oversight.

— umair irfan, Vox, "Scott Pruitt’s ethics scandals aren’t stopping him from gutting the EPA," 6 Apr. 2018
Pruitt has emerged as the limited-government star of the Cabinet, methodically working to dismantle environmental restrictions.

— bloomberg news, NOLA.com, "Army of conservative allies rallying to save embattled EPA chief," 5 Apr. 2018
Not surprisingly, the San Diego-area congressional delegation is split along party lines on the census question, while Republican boards and councils are the ones lining up to join Trump’s lawsuit to dismantle the sanctuary statutes.

— michael smolens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Trump's latest immigration gambit puts Democrats back on their heels," 1 Apr. 2018
However, there are certain elements under the gold dome that are threatened by a conservative outsider who is working to dismantle the business-as-usual mentality that operates in Hartford.

— neil vigdor, courant.com, "Peter Lumaj Accuses GOP Leaders Of Intimidating His Supporters," 28 Mar. 2018
The 1954 landmark case saw the US Supreme Court reject racial segregation in American schools after several families set out to dismantle education laws that allowed the division.

— sydney scott, Essence.com, "Linda Brown, Center Of Landmark Brown v. Board Of Education Case, Dead At 76," 27 Mar. 2018
Bates said Karen now lives in Oregon, so she was sent her a picture of when all the equipment showed up to dismantle the steel structure.

— frank abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "Rockland Road in Libertyville nears reopening as demolition of bridge truss gets underway," 22 Mar. 2018
The legislature is energetically pursuing charter and voucher programs, seemingly determined to dismantle the state’s storied public education system.

— amanda abrams, The New Republic, "Forget Tax Breaks. Education Is the Key to Attracting Businesses.," 13 Mar. 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

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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