dismantled; dismantling (ˌ)dis-ˈmant-liŋ How to pronounce dismantle (audio)
-ˈman-tᵊl-
Synonyms of dismantle

transitive verb

1
: to disconnect the pieces of
will have to dismantle the engine
also : to destroy the integrity or functioning of
The program was later dismantled due to a lack of funding.
2
: to strip of dress or covering : divest
3
: to strip of furniture and equipment
dismantled the ship before scrapping it

dismantlement

2 of 2

noun

dis·​man·​tle·​ment
plural -s
: the act of dismantling or the state of being dismantled
especially : deprivation of defenses

Examples of dismantle in a Sentence

Verb The mechanic dismantled the engine to repair it. When will they dismantle the old bridge? The after-school program was dismantled due to lack of funding. He accuses them of trying to dismantle the country's legal system.
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.
Verb
That is a company that started dismantling its own interface moat in 2023. Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Boston won again Friday night, dismantling the A's, 13-1, for its ninth straight win. Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 But construction crews had started dismantling half the mall, and soon the rink would be gone, too. Casey Parks, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2026 Protecting protection itself, defending the people, the process, and the science behind it from being dismantled, is now just as urgent. Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dismantle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle French desmanteler, from des- dis- + mantel mantle

First Known Use

Verb

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dismantle was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dismantle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismantle. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

dismantled; dismantling -ˈmant-liŋ How to pronounce dismantle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to take to pieces : take apart
dismantled the engine to repair it
2
: to strip of furniture and equipment
dismantle an office

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