dismember

verb

dis·​mem·​ber (ˌ)dis-ˈmem-bər 

dismembered; dismembering (ˌ)dis-ˈmem-b(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of

2

: to break up or tear into pieces

dismemberment

(ˌ)dis-ˈmem-bər-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• break
• break up
• bust
• disintegrate
• disrupt
• fracture
• fragment
• rive

Examples of dismember in a Sentence

The victims' bodies had been dismembered and buried in the basement.

quickly dismembered the old toolshed and hauled it off to the dump

Recent Examples on the Web

The only things he’s succeeded at this season are talking himself out of getting dismembered and looking debonair while sipping Champagne in a train station. —Brian Grubb, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024

Its possessions dismembered by the Ottomans, Austrians, and Napoleon, the Most Serene Republic of Venice became a mere municipality of the Habsburg Monarchy in 1797. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2024

Matt dismembered Rickerson’s body with a hacksaw and dumped him in the Niagara River before fleeing to Mexico. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024

The victim’s body was then dismembered and stashed in trash bags before being buried in a wooded area. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dismembren, from Anglo-French desmembrer, from des- dis- + membre member

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dismember

verb

dis·​mem·​ber (ˈ)dis-ˈmem-bər 

dismembered; dismembering -b(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to cut off or separate the limbs or parts of

2

: to break up or tear into pieces

dismemberment

-bər-mənt 

noun

Medical Definition

dismember

transitive verb

dis·​mem·​ber (ˈ)dis-ˈmem-bər 

dismembered; dismembering -b(ə-)riŋ 

: to cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of

dismemberment

-bər-mənt 

noun