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

• disrupt
• break
• destroy

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

Anderson, 34, was convicted in June of killing and dismembering 19-year-old Sade Robinson in April 2024. —Ariela Lopez, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025

New films include an untitled drama about the Elize Matsunaga case, in which Matsunaga killed and dismembered her husband—a case that was previously the subject of Netflix’s 2021 docuseries Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 26 May 2025

In June, Anderson was convicted by a jury of first-degree intentional homicide, dismembering a corpse, arson and hiding a corpse in connection with the April 2024 death. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Walshe is accused of murdering and dismembering his wife, Ana Walshe, at their Cohasset home on Jan. 1, 2023. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 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