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

An Italian scientist who disappeared during a volunteer trip in South America has been found dismembered inside a suitcase in northern Colombia. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025

In the first camp, evidence showed that at least two mammoths had been dismembered. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2025

Elks Clubbers are dislodged and dismembered. —Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025

The series chronicled Jeffrey Dahmer (Evan Peters), the serial killer who dismembered 17 men between 1978 and 1991. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for dismember

• december
• nonmember
• november
• remember
• september
• ember
• member

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