dismantle
verb
dis·man·tle (ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl 
dismantled; dismantling (ˌ)dis-ˈmant-liŋ
-ˈman-tᵊl-
transitive verb
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
dismantlement
(ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl-mənt
noun 
Synonyms
- break down
- demount
- disassemble
- dismember
- dismount
- knock down
- strike
- take down
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Gorbachev never set out to dismantle the Soviet system. 
The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 Gorbachev never set out to dismantle the Soviet system. Jim Heintz, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2022 Gorbachev never set out to dismantle the Soviet system. Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 It is often forgotten now that his goal wasn't necessarily to dismantle the communist Soviet Union. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 30 Aug. 2022 Gorbachev never set out to dismantle the Soviet system. Jim Heintz, ajc, 30 Aug. 2022 The goal of asking these questions is not to dismantle our right to privacy. Theodore Mcdarrah, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 The new work on the negative Pell equation has helped dismantle these roadblocks. Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2022 Are Nets playing a chess game of attempting to dismantle the Celtics’ and/or Heat’s young core? Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 July 2022 See More
The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 Gorbachev never set out to dismantle the Soviet system. Jim Heintz, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2022 Gorbachev never set out to dismantle the Soviet system. Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 It is often forgotten now that his goal wasn't necessarily to dismantle the communist Soviet Union. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 30 Aug. 2022 Gorbachev never set out to dismantle the Soviet system. Jim Heintz, ajc, 30 Aug. 2022 The goal of asking these questions is not to dismantle our right to privacy. Theodore Mcdarrah, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 The new work on the negative Pell equation has helped dismantle these roadblocks. Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2022 Are Nets playing a chess game of attempting to dismantle the Celtics’ and/or Heat’s young core? Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French desmanteler, from des- dis- + mantel mantle
First Known Use
1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
dismantle
verb
dis·man·tle dis-ˈman-tᵊl
dismantled; dismantling
1
: to take completely apart (as for storing or repair)
2
: to strip of furniture or equipment
dismantling
verb
as in disassembling
to take apart dismantle the table for easier transport Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- disassembling
- disconnecting
- dismembering
- detaching
- dismounting
- dividing
- demounting
- striking
- taking down
- knocking down
- disengaging
- separating
- disaggregating
- breaking down
- disarticulating
- disjoining
- disuniting
- disjointing
- dissevering
- breaking up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- constructing
- assembling
- building
- erecting
- combining
- uniting
- pitching