dismember

[ dis-mem-ber ]

/ dɪsˈmɛm bər /

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See synonyms for: dismember / dismembered / dismemberment on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to deprive of limbs; divide limb from limb: The ogre dismembered his victims before he ate them.

to divide into parts; cut to pieces; mutilate.

to reduce, reorganize, or discontinue the services or parts of (a company, government agency, etc.): Our business was dismembered by the conglomerate that bought it.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of dismember

1250–1300; Middle English dismembren<Anglo-French, Old French desmembrer, equivalent to des-dis-¹ + -membrer, verbal derivative of membremember

OTHER WORDS FROM dismember

dis·mem·ber·er, noundis·mem·ber·ment, nounnon·dis·mem·ber·ment, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dismember

disembodied, disemboweled, dismembered

Words nearby dismember

dismantle, dismast, dismay, dismayed, disme, dismember, dismiss, dismissal, dismissive, dismount, disnature

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dismember in a sentence

“I could not stop the General Assembly from dismembering Nashville,” Cooper said in January, when the map was finalized.
Ogles wins closely watched GOP primary for U.S. House in Tennessee|David Weigel|August 5, 2022|Washington Post
In the ensuing “Century of Humiliation,” civil war and western rapacity came close to dismembering China.
Central Asia Could Be the Key to Driving a Wedge Between Russia and China|Ian Morris|May 12, 2022|Time
Lucke recounts one investigation in 1990 of a nurse who was found dismembered, her remains distributed among multiple trash bags.
Meet the 95-Year-Old ‘Medical Detective’ Who Has Examined Famous Cases From JFK to JonBenet Ramsey|Jess McHugh|April 13, 2022|Time
Her explanation for dismembering and disposing of Marcos was suspiciously vague.
Netflix’s Baffling Defense of a Woman Who Dismembered Her Rich Husband|Nick Schager|July 9, 2021|The Daily Beast

Release of the report marks the end of a long process that began when Khashoggi, lured to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to pick up documents, was drugged and dismembered by Saudi agents.
Saudi crown prince approved operation that led to death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, U.S. intelligence report concludes|Karen DeYoung|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
He told reporters how his assailants had recognized him, set upon him with knives and tried to dismember his wrists.
Egypt’s Military Holiday Marred By Deaths|Alastair Beach|October 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The headlines were gruesome: after shooting and killing him, she had used a chain saw to dismember his body.
My First Autopsy Report: Excerpt From David Berg’s ‘Run, Brother, Run’`|David Berg|June 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is easy to get a handle on it if you dismember your victim.
Human Head, Hands Found Near Hollywood Sign|Christine Pelisek|January 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Dismember me this animal, and return him in a basket to the base-born knave who sent him; other answer have I none!
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Ned he gin hit to me way back yander, I dismember how long ergo, und he tole me to put it in de blu chiss, twell he ax for hit.
The Broken Sword|Dennison Worthington
Or is it really true, as many think, that your statesmen would gladly dismember this Union?
Continental Monthly, Vol. I. February, 1862, No. II.|Various
No man should ever be elected President of this country who raised his hand to dismember and destroy it.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 9 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
Often they completely dismember themselves, an action which does them no permanent injury, since they reproduce lost parts.
The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide|Augusta Foote Arnold

British Dictionary definitions for dismember

dismember

/ (dɪsˈmɛmbə) /

verb (tr)

to remove the limbs or members of

to cut to pieces

to divide or partition (something, such as an empire)

Derived forms of dismember

dismemberer, noundismemberment, noun

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

dismember

Origin of dismember

OTHER WORDS FROM dismember

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dismember

Words nearby dismember

Words related to dismember

How to use dismember in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dismember

Derived forms of dismember