as in to analyze
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships
let's dissect the plot of this thriller to see what makes it thrilling
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Recent Examples of dissect
Support and apprehension from lobbyists, lawmakers Almost every lawmaker and lobbyist who testified for or against the bill as it was dissected for hours across three committee hearings supported the bill's intention.
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Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
And no matter where anyone turned, everyone poked, prodded and dissected the sounds, lyrics and yes, muses – a prospect faced by no other artist in 2025.
—Denise Warner, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026
Casadevall and his colleague Ferric Fang published a paper dissecting the hypercompetitive chase for research funding.
—Rachel Barr, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Yet Love remains determined to frame her own story after decades of having others dictate it and dissect it and distort it in the worst possible ways.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissect
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
And no matter where anyone turned, everyone poked, prodded and dissected the sounds, lyrics and yes, muses – a prospect faced by no other artist in 2025.
—Denise Warner, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026
Casadevall and his colleague Ferric Fang published a paper dissecting the hypercompetitive chase for research funding.
—Rachel Barr, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Yet Love remains determined to frame her own story after decades of having others dictate it and dissect it and distort it in the worst possible ways.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissect
Verb
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Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood, reviewing surveillance footage and analyzing digital data, including cellphone information, according to Arizona police.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prescott said the employer portions of the bill were examined by the Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association to protect employers who follow proper hiring procedures but also hold employers accountable who are knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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One of the more striking findings came from examining individual brain regions.—
Rachael Seidler,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dissect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissect. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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