dismantle

[ dis-man-tl ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·man·tled, dis·man·tling.

1. to deprive or strip of apparatus, furniture, equipment, defenses, etc.:

   to dismantle a ship; to dismantle a fortress.

2. to disassemble or pull down; take apart:

   They dismantled the machine and shipped it in pieces.

3. to divest of dress, covering, etc.:

   The wind dismantled the trees of their leaves.

dismantle

/ dɪsˈmæntəl /

verb

1. to take apart
2. to demolish or raze
3. to strip of covering

Derived Forms

• disˈmantler, noun
• disˈmantlement, noun

Other Words From

• dis·mantle·ment noun
• dis·mantler noun
• undis·mantled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismantle¹

From the Middle French word desmanteler, dating back to 1570–80. See dis- ¹, mantle

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismantle¹

C17: from Old French desmanteler to remove a cloak from; see mantle

Example Sentences

And if Trump is to be believed, Musk and Ramaswamy will merely “pave the way” for Trump’s administration to implement the recommendations and “dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”

From Slate

“Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.”

From Los Angeles Times

Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, praised Trump for renewing efforts to “dismantle the deep state.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.”

From Salon

That is a risk that we have seen play out around the world in the 21st century with leaders in movements that come to power through democratic elections; and then, once in power, like Trojan horses, they dismantle democratic systems from within so that they are able to entrench their powers and eliminate the possibility of being removed through the democratic process.

From Slate

Related Words

• break up
• demolish
• destroy
• disassemble
• raze
• undo
• wreck