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

• dismantler noun
• dismantlement 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

The company shut the reactor at the Tihange plant last week and is pushing ahead with a plan to dismantle it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The all-rounder dismantled an increasingly bewildered India attack, launching five sixes on her way to her highest international score - the fifth of those blows sealing the win with seven balls to spare.

Read more on BBC

The Toronto Blue Jays systematically dismantled the Yankees in the best-of-five division series, culminating with a 5-2 win that propelled them to the cusp of the World Series for the first time since 1993.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Macron said on Thursday that he was ready to suspend plans to ratify the bill in late June if protesters swiftly dismantle road blockades that have crippled New Caledonia’s economy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The department’s actions and policies reflect a disdain for public schools and a desire to dismantle that system in favor of a range of other options — private, Christian and virtual schools or homeschooling.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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