dismantle

[dis-man-tl]

verb (used with object)

dismantled, dismantling 

1. to deprive or strip of apparatus, furniture, equipment, defenses, etc..

   to dismantle a ship; to dismantle a fortress.

2. to disassemble or pull down; take apart.

   They dismantled the machine and shipped it in pieces.

3. to divest of dress, covering, etc..

   The wind dismantled the trees of their leaves.

dismantle

/ dɪsˈmæntəl /

verb

1. to take apart

2. to demolish or raze

3. to strip of covering

Other Word Forms

• dismantlement noun
• dismantler noun
• undismantled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismantle¹

From the Middle French word desmanteler, dating back to 1570–80. See dis- ¹, mantle

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismantle¹

C17: from Old French desmanteler to remove a cloak from; see _mantle

Example Sentences

“It is well organized and funded. And it is shielded by far-left Democrat judges, prosecutors and attorneys general. The only remedy is to use legitimate state power to dismantle terrorism and terror networks.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The only remedy,” Miller said, “is to use legitimate state power to dismantle terrorism and terror networks.”

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Police say they have dismantled an international gang suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China in the last year.

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Patel promised to help dismantle this disloyal core and to “rebuild public trust” in the FBI.

Read more on Salon

He added that the Met has "dismantled the custody team at Charing Cross, made changes to local leadership" and was looking more broadly at other Met detention teams.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• break up 
• demolish 
• destroy 
• disassemble 
• raze 
• undo 
• wreck