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
Eric Goldman, an associate dean at Santa Clara University School of Law, who has been studying online age verification, told me that these changes are about to dismantle what remains of the open web, which was predicated on anyone being able to access almost anything.
—
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2025
Because dismantling the scaffolding of social progress risks collapsing the very confidence on which modern economies depend.
—Solitaire Townsend, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
His tariffs, layoffs, dismantling of federal agencies, and the big ugly bill are harming people.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
But funding stalled, and under the Obama administration, the system was dismantled — deemed obsolete in a satellite-first era.
—Jerald Fritz, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismantle
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Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2025
Because dismantling the scaffolding of social progress risks collapsing the very confidence on which modern economies depend.
—Solitaire Townsend, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
His tariffs, layoffs, dismantling of federal agencies, and the big ugly bill are harming people.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
But funding stalled, and under the Obama administration, the system was dismantled — deemed obsolete in a satellite-first era.
—Jerald Fritz, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 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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