dismember

dis·mem·ber

verb \(ˌ)dis-ˈmem-bər\

dis·mem·bereddis·mem·ber·ing\-b(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of DISMEMBER

transitive verb

1

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

2

: to break up or tear into pieces

— dis·mem·ber·ment \-bər-mənt\ noun

Examples of DISMEMBER

1. The victims' bodies had been dismembered and buried in the basement.
2. <quickly dismembered the old toolshed and hauled it off to the dump>

Origin of DISMEMBER

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISMEMBER

Synonyms: break up, bust, distintegrate, break, disrupt, fracture, fragment, rive

Antonyms: assemble, construct

Related Words: atomize, crush, grind, powder, pulverize, reduce; blast, blow up, burst, detonate, explode; crack, pop, shatter, shiver, smash; chip, sliver, splinter, split; implode; destroy, ruin, wreck

Near Antonyms: doctor, fix, heal, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renovate, repair

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with DISMEMBER

December, November, remember, September, web member