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
Participants and speakers alike warned Democrats would dismantle Republican victories on immigration and tax policy.
—
Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
The Wolverines dismantled Tennessee 95–62 in a game that turned into a runaway before halftime.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
One of the most consistently successful programs in the country is back in the Final Four for the first time in a quarter century after dismantling Arkansas and Purdue in the West regionals.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
That’s why, when Mike Bloomberg was running for City Hall and vowed to dismantle this system, I was honored to join his team.
—Dennis Walcott, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
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.
Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
The Wolverines dismantled Tennessee 95–62 in a game that turned into a runaway before halftime.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
One of the most consistently successful programs in the country is back in the Final Four for the first time in a quarter century after dismantling Arkansas and Purdue in the West regionals.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
That’s why, when Mike Bloomberg was running for City Hall and vowed to dismantle this system, I was honored to join his team.
—Dennis Walcott, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismantle
Cite this Entry
“Dismantle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismantle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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
