dissect

verb

dis·​sect dī-ˈsekt 

also

di-  ˈdī-ˌsekt 

dissected; dissecting; dissects

transitive verb

1

: to separate into pieces : expose the several parts of (something, such as an animal) for scientific examination

dissect an earthworm

dissecting flowers

2

: to analyze and interpret minutely

dissect a problem

intransitive verb

: to make a dissection

dissector

dī-ˈsek-tər

 

also

di- 

ˈdī-ˌsek-

noun

Synonyms of dissect

• analyze
• examine

Choose the Right Synonym for dissect

analyze, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements.

analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.

analyzed the collected data

dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.

commentators dissected every word of the speech

break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.

break down the budget

Examples of dissect in a Sentence

We dissected a frog in science class.

She dissected each point of his argument.

We dissected the poem in class.

The city is dissected by a network of highways.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a recent panel, held during Sourcing Journal’s second-annual SJLA summit, two such industry experts convened to dissect the nuances of the problem. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 21 Nov. 2025

Remember the stick slams, all his facial gestures being dissected on the bench, the frustration expressed in his interviews and just his overall displeasure of failing to meet individual expectations coupled with all the losing? —Scott Powers, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

The Met Gala, and its less influential though no less opulent exhibition, has become a red carpet machine that is arguably more anticipated and dissected than the Oscars. —Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

He's delved into the Civil War, dissected America's response to the Holocaust and chronicled the evolution of jazz music. —NPR, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin dissectus, past participle of dissecare to cut apart, from dis- + secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dissect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• effect
• eject

Kids Definition

dissect

verb

dis·​sect dī-ˈsekt  ˈdi-  ˈdī-ˌsekt 

1

: to cut up (as a plant or animal) into separate parts for examination and study

2

: to make a careful examination of

dissect a problem

Etymology

from Latin dissectus, past participle of dissecare "to cut apart," from dis- "apart" and secare "to cut" — related to insect, section

Medical Definition

dissect

transitive verb

dis·​sect dis-ˈekt; dī-ˈsekt  ˈdī-ˌ 

: to cut so as to separate into pieces or to expose the several parts of (as an animal or a cadaver) for scientific examination

specifically : to separate or follow along natural lines of cleavage (as through connective tissue)

dissect out the regional lymph nodes

a dissecting aneurysm

intransitive verb

: to make a medical dissection

dissector

-ər 

noun