dismember

verb

dis·mem·ber (ˌ)dis-ˈmem-bər

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

Synonyms of dismember

transitive verb

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

: to break up or tear into pieces

dismemberment

(ˌ)dis-ˈmem-bər-mənt

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Los Angeles police investigators never recovered any of the tools Burke allegedly used to dismember Hernandez, and there are no witnesses who actually saw the murder. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Singer D4vd has parted ways with his legal representation in favor of public defenders for his case in which he is accused of allegedly killing and dismembering a 14-year-old girl. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 Two of Hernandez’s fingers, including one with Burke’s name tattooed on it, had been dismembered, when she was found, according to prosecutors. — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 The children are dismembered and penetrated, flayed alive, disemboweled, and their intestines set alight. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dismember

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of dismember was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

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disme

dismember

dismemberment

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Dismember.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismember. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dismember

verb

dis·mem·ber (ˈ)dis-ˈmem-bər

dismembered; dismembering -b(ə-)riŋ

: to cut off or separate the limbs or parts of

: 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

dismember

verb

Synonyms of dismember

Examples of dismember in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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dismember

verb

Synonyms of dismember

Examples of dismember in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for dismember

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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