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 of dismember

• 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

Prosecutors accuse Walshe of killing his wife and dismembering her body. —Matt Schooley, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

Her remains have not been found, but prosecutors allege Brian Walshe killed her, dismembered her and hid the evidence. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Elizabeth is the budding mad doctor’s fiancee, who’s dismembered under the blades of a rogue lawnmower in the opening scene of the film. —Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025

She is accused of killing her 39-year-old boyfriend, David Carter, dismembering him then discarding his body parts along I-75 near Hancock, Ohio in September 2018. —Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 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