1. to cut off or separate the limbs of a body
2. to divide into parts; to break up or destroy the unity of something

Examples

• The ancient ritual involved dismembering the sacrificial animal.
• The accident victim’s leg had to be dismembered to save his life.
• The empire was dismembered after the war ended.
• Political opponents sought to dismember the proposed legislation.
• The company was dismembered and sold to various buyers.
• Rebels planned to dismember the existing government structure.