verb
dismember
dihs-MEHM-buh
Dismember (verb) means to cut or tear the limbs off a body. Example: “The horror film showed the creature dismembering its victims.”
verb
1
To cut or tear the limbs off a body.
"The horror film showed the creature dismembering its victims."
2
To divide something, such as a country or organization, into separate pieces.
"The treaty effectively dismembered the old empire into several smaller states."
"The American Civil War nearly dismembered the Union."
How to use dismember
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cut apart at the joints or limbs, literally or (for countries/organizations) figuratively.
Common pairings
dismember a body
dismember a nation
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- dismembers
- Past tense
- dismembered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The horror film showed the creature _____ its victims.
Etymology
From Old French desmembrer, from des- + membre ("limb").
Synonyms
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discerp
take apart
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dismember
See all rhymes for dismember →Frequently asked questions
What does “dismember” mean?
The word “dismember” means to cut or tear the limbs off a body. In plain terms, to cut apart at the joints or limbs, literally or (for countries/organizations) figuratively.
How do you pronounce “dismember”?
“Dismember” is pronounced dihs-MEHM-buh (/ˌdɪsˈmɛmbə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “dismember” in a sentence?
Here is “dismember” used in a sentence: “The horror film showed the creature dismembering its victims.”
What part of speech is “dismember”?
“Dismember” is a verb.
Where does the word “dismember” come from?
The word “dismember” comes from Old French. From Old French desmembrer, from des- + membre ("limb").
How many meanings does “dismember” have?
“Dismember” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cut or tear the limbs off a body.
