dismantle
/dɪsˈmant(ə)l
/verb [with object]
Take (a machine or structure) to pieces: the engines were dismantled and the bits piled into a heap figurative the old regime was dismantled...
- It is likely the tower will be dismantled piece by piece using a large crane and a scaffold to support the remaining structure.
- He kicked off his first term with demands to make cut-backs and set about dismantling the old regime.
- Residents only knew of plans for this when we asked workmen who were dismantling the old and vandalised pieces of play equipment.
Synonyms
take apart, take to pieces, take to bits, pull apart, pull to pieces, deconstruct, disassemble, break up, strip (down);
knock down, pull down, tear down, demolish, fell, destroy, flatten, level, raze (to the ground), bulldoze
rare unbuild
Derivatives
dismantlement
/ noun ...- ‘We have to test whether they are prepared to see the dismantlement of their nuclear weapons programme,’ the official added.
- Is there any plan for the dismantlement of settlements that big?
- But their dismantlement by political power is neither desirable nor possible for both economic and social reasons.
dismantler
- Vehicle dismantlers are now charging to collect or take delivery of most unwanted vehicles and, as a consequence, it is cheaper for the owners to simply abandon the vehicle.
- It is they who must do the paying if dismantlers are to bring their practices up to the new legal standards - which three quarters of the 28 Bradford scrapyards subjected to a spot check were found to have failed to do.
- Instead of stacking them in cupboards, we're supposed to wipe the memories and then phone the computer dismantlers, who'll take them away and turn them into something useful.
Origin
Late 16th century (in the sense 'destroy the defensive capability of a fortification'): from Old French desmanteler, from des- (expressing reversal) + manteler 'fortify' (from Latin mantellum 'cloak').