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

Labelling an organisation as a terrorist group gives US law enforcement and military agencies broader powers to target and dismantle it.

Read more on BBC

There was his new superyacht, which drew public outcry in the Netherlands in the midst of concern a historic bridge was going to have to be dismantled to allow it to pass through.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

An England attack that was rampant only 24 hours earlier was dismantled by one of the great Ashes innings from Travis Head.

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The IDF says it has dismantled bomb-making and other weapons facilities hidden inside all three camps.

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"We are aware of a strike east of the yellow line that was done to dismantle terror infrastructures," the Israeli military told AFP.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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