dismember

verb

dis·​mem·​ber (ˌ)dis-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce dismember (audio)
dismembered; dismembering (ˌ)dis-ˈmem-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce dismember (audio)
Synonyms of dismembernext

transitive verb

1
: to cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of
2
: to break up or tear into pieces
dismemberment noun

Examples of dismember in a Sentence

The victims' bodies had been dismembered and buried in the basement. quickly dismembered the old toolshed and hauled it off to the dump
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The killing of 14-year-old Agostina Vega, found dismembered after a week missing, has reignited national fury ahead Ni Una Menos protests, echoing the 2015 teen murder that birthed Argentina’s movement. Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026 He had been dismembered with his genitals and eight of his toes cut off, with seven near his body. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 By transforming their whole body into a source of rotational force, crocodiles could dismember prey using the power of physics, rather than their precious metabolic energy. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 His body will be taken to a forensics lab next week to determine when he was killed and how his body was dismembered, Pope said. Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dismember

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dismembren, from Anglo-French desmembrer, from des- dis- + membre member

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dismember was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dismember.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismember. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

dismember

verb
dis·​mem·​ber (ˈ)dis-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce dismember (audio)
dismembered; dismembering -b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce dismember (audio)
1
: to cut off or separate the limbs or parts of
2
: to break up or tear into pieces
dismemberment noun

Medical Definition

dismember

transitive verb
dis·​mem·​ber (ˈ)dis-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce dismember (audio)
dismembered; dismembering -b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce dismember (audio)
: to cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of
dismemberment noun

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