dismember

verb

dis·​mem·​ber (ˌ)dis-ˈmem-bər 

dismembered; dismembering (ˌ)dis-ˈmem-b(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of

2

: to break up or tear into pieces

dismemberment

(ˌ)dis-ˈmem-bər-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• break
• break up
• bust
• disintegrate
• disrupt
• fracture
• fragment
• rive

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

Once there, Gress allegedly decapitated and dismembered Corsette's body while Brandes placed the remains in trash bags. —Chris Spargo, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The Kremlin’s propaganda machine eagerly circulated this statement to prove that dismembering Russia is the West’s endgame. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025

Authorities say a man accused of killing his girlfriend and her mother in St. Petersburg, Florida, dismembered one of the bodies. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025

One of the victims in a Florida double homicide had been dismembered by the time deputies arrived, according to an affidavit. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for dismember

• december
• nonmember
• november
• remember
• september
• ember
• member

Kids Definition

dismember

verb

dis·​mem·​ber (ˈ)dis-ˈmem-bər 

dismembered; dismembering -b(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to cut off or separate the limbs or parts of

2

: to break up or tear into pieces

dismemberment

-bər-mənt 

noun

Medical Definition

dismember

transitive verb

dis·​mem·​ber (ˈ)dis-ˈmem-bər 

dismembered; dismembering -b(ə-)riŋ 

: to cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of

dismemberment

-bər-mənt 

noun