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desmantelar

to dismantle

verb des-mahn-teh-LAHR Rare
People & Society Government

Origin: From Latin mantellum (mantle, cloak) via Old French desmanteler, originally meaning to strip a fortification of its walls.

Also means

to disassemble

Usage Note

Desmantelar applies to physical structures (desmantelar una fábrica) and abstract ones (desmantelar una red de tráfico). It is stronger than desmontar (to take apart) because it implies complete destruction or dissolution of a functioning system. It is a regular -ar verb with no spelling changes.

Examples

"Las autoridades lograron desmantelar la red criminal."

Natural Translation

The authorities managed to dismantle the criminal network.

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