deconstruct

[ dee-kuhn-struhkt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to break down into constituent parts; dissect; dismantle.

deconstruct

/ ˌdiːkənˈstrʌkt /

verb

1. to apply the theories of deconstruction to (a text, film, etc)
2. to expose or dismantle the existing structure in (a system, organization, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of deconstruct¹

Apparently back formation from deconstruction

Example Sentences

This layered construction protects cells from the elements while allowing sunlight through, but it can be difficult to deconstruct when the panels have reached the end of their life.

From MIT Technology Review

Relevant and high-quality content which links to priority pages that are already ranking should be retained where possible to ensure the priority page’s rankings don’t crumble because the architecture has been deconstructed.

From Search Engine Land

But, she says, “they’re constantly being deconstructed and reconstructed.”

From Popular-Science

His aim, he says, is to “deconstruct the official narrative.”

From Vox

This Swiftwater Films time lapse, produced by director Shane Anderson and filmed and edited by Jesse Andrew Clark, shows the monthslong process of deconstructing the Nooksack Dam on the Middle Fork of Washington’s Nooksack River.

From Outside Online

Others on the RSD forum would deconstruct his approach: “too aggressive,” “too many questions,” “nervousness in your voice,” etc.

From The Daily Beast

Former Senator and U.S. Envoy George Mitchell joins other top Washington players to deconstruct the shutdown crisis.

From The Daily Beast

What if we could deconstruct a Lego block into more fundamental parts: the plastic, the adhesives, the coloring agent.

From The Daily Beast

Thanks to the Internet, such assumptions may be easier to deconstruct than they used to be.

From The Daily Beast

Most often, I would deconstruct the Kennedy Gridiron telegram joke in an effort to tap into its powerful genius.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• interpret