dismantle

1 of 2

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

dismantlement

2 of 2

noun

dis·​man·​tle·​ment

plural -s

: the act of dismantling or the state of being dismantled

especially : deprivation of defenses

Synonyms of dismantle

Verb

• disassemble
• detach
• disconnect
• dismember
• strike
• dismount
• divide

Examples of dismantle in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The white South African group governed the nation for decades under a brutal system of segregation known as apartheid, which kept the Black majority an impoverished underclass until the system was dismantled in 1994. — Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 5 Nov. 2026

The site was illegally excavated in the 1960s, the statues dismantled and scattered among various countries. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Jalin Holland scored 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting and Colorado went on a second-half offensive eruption to dismantle Abilene Christian 94-59 in a season opener on Monday night. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Their lifting was contingent on Iraq’s dismantling its weapons of mass destruction program and agreeing to respect Kuwaiti sovereignty. — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dismantle

• mantel
• santal

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