dismantle
Strip into pieces
To dismantle something is to take it apart piece by piece: They dismantled the scaffolding after the project finished.
The word implies methodical deconstruction rather than destruction—you dismantle a machine to repair it or a tent to pack it away.
Figuratively, to dismantle is to systematically undo: The new administration dismantled environmental regulations.
Tool for turning fasteners
- wrenchTool for turning fasteners
- partsIndividual elements of whole
- nutsSeeds in shells
- boltsThreaded metal fasteners
screws · pliers · hex key · toolkit · components · detach · disconnect · reassemble
Analyze by breaking down
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- challengeTest of ability
- undermineWeaken by stealth
expose · unravel · interrogate · subvert · unpick · assumptions · ideology · narrative
Bladed vehicle pushing earth
- wrecking ballCrane-swung demolition weight
- implosionViolent collapse inward
- rubbleBroken building fragments
- excavatorMachine that digs earth
demolition crew · razing · dynamite · debris · sledgehammer · flatten · raze · tear down
Improve by correcting faults
- abolishOfficially end a practice
- dissolveDisperse into liquid
- restructureRearrange fundamental organization
- defundRemove financial support
deregulate · privatize · decentralize · repeal · overturn · bureaucracy · legislation · policy
Remove bonds from
- unchainRemove restraining links
- freeWithout payment or restriction
- liberateSet free from captivity
- emancipateGrant freedom to
release · untether · unbind · unfetter · oppression · bondage · constraints · barriers
screwdriver
Tool for turning fasteners
bolts · screws · pliers · hex key · toolkit · components · detach · disconnect · reassemble · diagram
deconstruct
Analyze by breaking down
undermine · expose · unravel · interrogate · subvert · unpick · assumptions · ideology · narrative · myth
bulldozer
Bladed vehicle pushing earth
- wrecking ballCrane-swung demolition weight
- implosionViolent collapse inward
- rubbleBroken building fragments
excavator · demolition crew · razing · dynamite · debris · sledgehammer · flatten · raze · tear down · knock down
reform
Improve by correcting faults
- abolishOfficially end a practice
- dissolveDisperse into liquid
- restructureRearrange fundamental organization
defund · deregulate · privatize · decentralize · repeal · overturn · bureaucracy · legislation · policy · apartheid
unshackle
Remove bonds from
emancipate · release · untether · unbind · unfetter · oppression · bondage · constraints · barriers · restrictions
- demolitiondemolish, raze, bulldoze, controlled demolition, wreck
- destruction verbsdestroy, demolish, wreck, ruin, smash
- DIS- wordsdisagree, disallow, disbelieve, disapprove, disarray
- bring downbring down, take down, pull down, tear down, knock down
- disruptdisrupt, disturb, upset, disorder, disorganize
- salvagesalvage, salvage operations, salvage operation, salvor, marine salvage
dismantleassemble
Join parts together
construct · build · erect · put together · piece together
dismantled, dismantling, dismantles, dismantlement, dismantler, dismantlers, dismantlings