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Synonyms

dismantle

American  
[dis-man-tl] / dɪsˈmæn 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 British  
/ dɪsˈmæntəl /

verb

  1. to take apart

  2. to demolish or raze

  3. to strip of covering

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • dismantlement noun
  • dismantler noun
  • undismantled adjective

Etymology

Origin of dismantle

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some of the coalition’s members live in RVs that could be seized and dismantled if the city is permitted to implement the law, the group said in its complaint.

From Los Angeles Times

He initiated an antigraft purge and dismantled the military’s top-heavy administrative fiefs in favor of centralized, joint-combat theater commands that report directly to the Central Military Commission, which he leads.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stripping away these elements would, in Tehran's view, dismantle the foundations of its deterrence.

From BBC

The team discovered that the two bacteria dismantle this protective barrier in a step-by-step process.

From Science Daily

"There are lots of nostalgic people here who wanted to keep everything that we dismantle, store it somewhere, turn it into a museum... I'm not of that mindset," he told AFP.

From Barron's