dismantle
verb
dis·man·tle
(ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl 
dismantled; dismantling
(ˌ)dis-ˈmant-liŋ
-ˈman-tᵊl-
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
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
Many conservatives are grumbling about dismantling the debt brake.
—
Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
In Boulder, a large crowd of protesters and several Colorado officials turned out Saturday to protest against plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
Although democracy returned to the country in 1985, it was nearly dismantled by recent president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of plotting a coup d'état and sentenced to 27 years behind bars in September.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Interest groups representing the tobacco industry, the gas industry and others have seized on this opportunity to dismantle what most people understand to be routine labeling requirements.
—Alan K. Chen, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismantle
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Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
In Boulder, a large crowd of protesters and several Colorado officials turned out Saturday to protest against plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
Although democracy returned to the country in 1985, it was nearly dismantled by recent president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of plotting a coup d'état and sentenced to 27 years behind bars in September.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Interest groups representing the tobacco industry, the gas industry and others have seized on this opportunity to dismantle what most people understand to be routine labeling requirements.
—Alan K. Chen, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismantle
Cite this Entry
“Dismantle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismantle. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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