dismantle
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to take a machine or structure apart into separate pieces.
to take apart a machine, structure, or object into its constituent components.
Simple“The mechanic had to dismantle the entire engine to find the small leak.”
In context“Technicians began to dismantle the aging satellite dish, carefully labeling each component for transport to the recycling facility.”
UsageThis is a transitive verb that requires a direct object.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to gradually get rid of a system, law, or organization.
to systematically end the operation of an organization, policy, or social system.
Simple“The government plans to dismantle the old welfare system and replace it with a new one.”
In context“The new CEO was hired specifically to dismantle the company's unprofitable overseas divisions and refocus on domestic growth.”
UsageOften used in political or corporate contexts regarding the removal of complex structures.
- 03 C1 Advanced
to show that an argument or idea is wrong by looking at each part of it.
to systematically disprove or invalidate a discourse, claim, or complex argument.
Simple“The lawyer managed to dismantle the witness's story during the trial.”
In context“In her latest essay, the philosopher seeks to dismantle the prevailing theories regarding cognitive development in early childhood.”
UsageUsed metaphorically to describe a logical or rhetorical process.
“In August, the US announced steps to dismantle a web of currency exchange houses and shell companies that it said helped Iran secretly move hundreds of millions of dollars through the international financial system.”
“On Thursday, the Israeli military said its troops dismantled “two illegal outposts” in Qusra and a nearby village, and detained one Israeli.”
From Middle French desmanteler, itself from des- (“dis-”), mantel (“coat”) + -er (verbal suffix). Compare typologically uncloak, reveal, unmask.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.