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

His sister, her husband and their two children were dismembered. —Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 16 Dec. 2024

There, prior excavations revealed six individuals whose bones had been dismembered and butchered, including potential human chew marks on hand, foot and rib bones. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Nasser Hospital received at least 15 bodies following the strike but determining an exact count was challenging due to the condition of the victims, many of whom were dismembered, severely burned or decapitated. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Prosecutors allege Anderson dismembered Robinson and littered parts of her body throughout the county after killing her. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 2 Dec. 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