deconstructs
Breaks down systematically
Deconstructs means to take something apart to examine its components or underlying assumptions.
A critic deconstructs a film to reveal its hidden themes; a chef deconstructs a classic dish by presenting its elements separately.
The term gained currency from literary theory, where it means analyzing texts to expose contradictions and unstated premises.
More loosely, to deconstruct is simply to break down and scrutinize: She deconstructed his argument point by point.
Separates into components
- disassemblesTakes something apart
- breaks downStops functioning properly
- pulls apartSeparates by force
- stripsNarrow cut pieces
tears down · unbuild · separates · decouples · disentangles · dissolves · undoes · unravels
Looks at thoroughly
- scrutinizesExamines in close detail
- dissectsCuts open to examine
- investigatesLooks into thoroughly
- breaks downStops functioning properly
unpacks · probes · critiques · interrogates · interprets · studies · evaluates · questions
Difficulties requiring effort
- subvertsWeakens or overthrows
- underminesWeakens by stealth
- questionsRequests for information
- destabilizesUndermines steadiness or equilibrium
exposes · reveals · overturns · disrupts · complicates · problematizes · contests · resists
Grammatology's French author
- post-structuralismTheory rejecting stable meaning
- presenceState of being somewhere
- absenceState of not being
- traceMinute remnant or pursue
supplement · intertextuality · signifier · signified · discourse · metanarrative · phenomenology · hermeneutics
takes apart
Separates into components
- disassemblesTakes something apart
- breaks downStops functioning properly
- pulls apartSeparates by force
strips · tears down · unbuild · separates · decouples · disentangles · dissolves · undoes · unravels · destabilizes
examines
Looks at thoroughly
- scrutinizesExamines in close detail
- dissectsCuts open to examine
- investigatesLooks into thoroughly
breaks down · unpacks · probes · critiques · interrogates · interprets · studies · evaluates · questions · challenges
challenges
Difficulties requiring effort
- subvertsWeakens or overthrows
- underminesWeakens by stealth
- questionsRequests for information
destabilizes · exposes · reveals · overturns · disrupts · complicates · problematizes · contests · resists · opposes
Derrida
Grammatology's French author
- post-structuralismTheory rejecting stable meaning
- presenceState of being somewhere
- absenceState of not being
trace · supplement · intertextuality · signifier · signified · discourse · metanarrative · phenomenology · hermeneutics · semiotics
deconstructsconstructs
Builds or creates
builds · assembles · synthesizes · builds up · erects
deconstructsreinforces
Strengthens or supports further
strengthens · fortifies · stabilizes · buttresses · shores up
deconstruct, deconstruction, deconstructed, deconstructing, deconstructionist, deconstructive, deconstructions