dismantle
verb
dis·man·tle
(ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl 
dismantled; dismantling
(ˌ)dis-ˈmant-liŋ
-ˈman-tᵊl-
1
: to disconnect the pieces of
will have to dismantle the engine
also
: to destroy the integrity or functioning of
The program was later dismantled due to a lack of funding.
2
: to strip of dress or covering : divest
3
: to strip of furniture and equipment
dismantled the ship before scrapping it
Examples of dismantle in a Sentence
The mechanic dismantled the engine to repair it.
When will they dismantle the old bridge?
The after-school program was dismantled due to lack of funding.
He accuses them of trying to dismantle the country's legal system.
Recent Examples on the Web
Philadelphia filed a federal lawsuit against Burgum, acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron and their agencies the day the exhibits were dismantled.
—
Abraham Gutman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Earlier this month, state officials reported dismantling a clandestine drug laboratory located south of Ensenada, marking the ninth such laboratory shut down by authorities in the span of a year.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Real equity means expanding what delivers, not dismantling it to satisfy ideology.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Without it, the other side simply spends the next session trying to dismantle your work.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismantle
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Abraham Gutman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Earlier this month, state officials reported dismantling a clandestine drug laboratory located south of Ensenada, marking the ninth such laboratory shut down by authorities in the span of a year.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Real equity means expanding what delivers, not dismantling it to satisfy ideology.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Without it, the other side simply spends the next session trying to dismantle your work.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismantle
Cite this Entry
“Dismantle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismantle. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dismantle
verb
dis·man·tle
(ˈ)dis-ˈmant-ᵊl
dismantled; dismantling
-ˈmant-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to take to pieces : take apart
dismantled the engine to repair it
2
: to strip of furniture and equipment
dismantle an office
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