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
Some of them have already been effectively dismantled by DOGE, like the U.S. Institute of Peace, the site of a dramatic daylong standoff between USIP staffers and representatives of the cost-cutting initiative claiming to be new leadership.
—
Stephen Fowler, NPR, 17 May 2025
The Celtics, even without perennial All-NBA first-teamer Jayson Tatum, dismantled the Knicks’ first unit, especially to begin the second half, when Boston ran away with victory.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
In mere months, Musk’s team has directed the firing of thousands of federal workers, canceled billions of dollars in programs and dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, which supported humanitarian projects around the world.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 15 May 2025
The decision stems from the Trump administration dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismantle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stephen Fowler, NPR, 17 May 2025
The Celtics, even without perennial All-NBA first-teamer Jayson Tatum, dismantled the Knicks’ first unit, especially to begin the second half, when Boston ran away with victory.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
In mere months, Musk’s team has directed the firing of thousands of federal workers, canceled billions of dollars in programs and dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, which supported humanitarian projects around the world.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 15 May 2025
The decision stems from the Trump administration dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 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 21 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share