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
One of the most persistent misconceptions Kapur wants to dismantle is the fear that AI will do our thinking for us.
—
Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Kaiser Permanente filed a lawsuit in federal court last week seeking to dismantle a streamlined process of bargaining compensation packages with an alliance of labor groups representing some 62,000 of the healthcare system’s workers across the country.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
This evolution also dismantles what Rebecca describes as the fourth wall of work, the invisible barrier that prevents people from understanding how their capability connects to real demand.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
It was taken down in 2019—the American home dismantled, an open house closed.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 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.
Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Kaiser Permanente filed a lawsuit in federal court last week seeking to dismantle a streamlined process of bargaining compensation packages with an alliance of labor groups representing some 62,000 of the healthcare system’s workers across the country.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
This evolution also dismantles what Rebecca describes as the fourth wall of work, the invisible barrier that prevents people from understanding how their capability connects to real demand.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
It was taken down in 2019—the American home dismantled, an open house closed.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 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 27 Jan. 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
