Word
dismemberment
Phoneticsdis·mem·ber·ment, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪsˈmɛmbɝmənt/
UK/dɪsmˈɛmbəmənt/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. cutting a body into separate pieces in a violent attack, usually after death.
n. violent separation of a body or larger whole into parts by cutting or tearing, especially as post-mortem mutilation or as a method of killing.
Examples
“The novel describes the dismemberment of an ancient statue.”
“The police report described the dismemberment of the victim found near the river.”
“Historians still debate whether the dismemberment of the empire after the war was inevitable or the result of hasty decisions by exhausted leaders.”
Examples
simple
“The novel describes the dismemberment of an ancient statue.”
contextual
“The police report described the dismemberment of the victim found near the river.”
complex
“Historians still debate whether the dismemberment of the empire after the war was inevitable or the result of hasty decisions by exhausted leaders.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dismemberment” in context.
Verb
01. commit dismemberment
“Evidence proved he had committed dismemberment to conceal the murder.”
verb + noun
02. dismemberment occurs
“In most homicide cases, dismemberment occurs after death to conceal the body.”
noun + verb
03. investigate dismemberment
“Forensic teams continue to investigate dismemberment linked to organized crime.”
verb + noun
04. perform dismemberment
“Investigators believe more than one person was needed to perform dismemberment.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. brutal dismemberment
“Police described the brutal dismemberment as one of the most shocking cases in years.”
adj + noun
06. gruesome dismemberment
“The newspaper refused to publish details of the gruesome dismemberment.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. act of dismemberment
“The court described the act of dismemberment as deliberate and cold-blooded.”
noun + prep + noun
08. case of dismemberment
“Detectives are treating the discovery as a suspected case of dismemberment.”
noun + prep + noun
09. fear of dismemberment
“Journalists in the conflict zone lived in constant fear of dismemberment.”
noun + prep + noun
10. carry out the dismemberment of
“Prosecutors allege he carried out the dismemberment of the body alone.”
11. charged with murder and dismemberment
“The suspect was charged with murder and dismemberment after remains were found.”
12. gruesome dismemberment of the victim
“The report detailed the gruesome dismemberment of the victim after the murder.”
Usage
Often followed by 'of' to name what is divided, as in 'the dismemberment of the body'.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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