dismantling
/dɪˈsmæn.təl/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪsmˈæntəlɪŋ] /dɪˈsmæn.t̬əl/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪsmˈæntəlɪŋ] /(ˌ)dis-ˈman-tᵊl/ (ame, mw) · /dɪsˈmæntlɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪsmˈæntəlɪŋ] /dɪsˈmæntlɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
dismantling — verb
- dismantlingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dismantlings3rd person singular
- dismantlinging-ing form
- dismantlingedpast simple
1. to separate a machine, engine, or structure into its individual parts or compone
to separate a machine, engine, or structure into its individual parts or components
Tendai spent the morning dismantling the old lawnmower to see how its motor worked.
dismantle + object (machine)
The technician carefully dismantled the air conditioner before cleaning each filter.
Ada watched the movers dismantle the bookshelves and wrap the planks in padding.
Lien dismantled her bicycle frame to fit it into a suitcase for the flight.
- disassemble
more technical; often used for electronic or mechanical items
- take apart
more informal; used in everyday speech
- strip down
implies removing outer parts to reach the inner mechanism
- assemble
to put together
- put together
informal equivalent of assemble
文法句型
dismantle + object (machine/engine/structure)
dismantle into + parts
用法筆記
Can also be used without an object in ergative patterns: The machine dismantles easily into three parts. Frequently used with 'into' to describe the resulting pieces.
常見錯誤
2. to gradually reduce and eventually end the operation of an organisation, system,
to gradually reduce and eventually end the operation of an organisation, system, or institution
Min's committee worked for months to dismantle the old admissions policy and create a fairer one.
dismantle + policy / system
The government announced plans to dismantle the state-owned railway company by the year 2030.
Saira argued that the new law would slowly dismantle the public health system.
After the merger, the board voted to dismantle the old human resources department completely.
文法句型
dismantle + system/organisation/institution
用法筆記
Often used in political or organisational contexts. Typically implies a gradual process rather than a sudden or violent end. The object is always an abstract entity (system, policy, institution), never a physical object.
常見錯誤
3. to prove that an argument, belief, or explanation is false by pointing out its w
to prove that an argument, belief, or explanation is false by pointing out its weak points
Kofi dismantled each of his opponent's arguments during the debate with clear evidence.
dismantle + argument (abstract)
The journalist wrote an article that dismantled the myth about sugar causing hyperactivity.
Hana's research paper systematically dismantles the theory that the disease spreads through the air.
The lawyer dismantled the witness's statement by showing several contradictions in the timeline.
文法句型
dismantle + claim/argument/theory/myth
用法筆記
Used in formal, academic, or legal contexts. The object is always abstract — a claim, argument, theory, or myth — never a physical object or a person's character.
常見錯誤
dismantling — noun
1. the process of separating a machine, building, or similar structure into its ind
the process of separating a machine, building, or similar structure into its individual components
The dismantling of the old water tower took a team of engineers an entire week.
dismantling of + structure
Residents watched the careful dismantling of the factory chimney from their windows.
A safety manual for the dismantling of electronic devices was published last year.
The careful dismantling of the scaffolding revealed the newly painted church tower.
- disassembly
more technical; used in engineering and manufacturing contexts
- taking apart
informal alternative for everyday speech
- assembly
the process of putting pieces together
- construction
the act of building a structure
文法句型
dismantling of + object (machine/structure)
用法筆記
Typically uncountable; the plural form dismantlings is rare. Most naturally used with 'of' followed by the object being taken apart.
2. the planned, gradual elimination of an organisation, policy, or system
the planned, gradual elimination of an organisation, policy, or system
The dismantling of the apartheid system in South Africa was a long and painful process.
dismantling of + political system
Local communities protested the dismantling of the public library network across the region.
Economists studied the dismantling of trade barriers between the two neighbouring countries.
The gradual dismantling of the old state pension plan took more than a decade.
- dismantlement
a less common noun form with the same meaning; more formal
- dissolution
more legal; often used for formal disbanding of an organisation
- phasing out
emphasises the gradual, step-by-step nature of the process
- establishment
the act of creating or setting up
- creation
the act of bringing something into existence
文法句型
dismantling of + system/organisation
用法筆記
Nearly always uncountable. Often preceded by 'gradual' to emphasise the slow, organised nature of the process. Common in political and economic writing.