dismemberment

/dɪsˈmɛmbərmənt/
noun
  1. The act of cutting or tearing off the limbs or parts of a body.
    • Ancient laws sometimes called for dismemberment as a punishment.
    • The detective investigated the gruesome dismemberment of the victim.
    • The horror novel described the dismemberment in graphic detail.
  2. The division or breakup of a country, organization, or territory into smaller parts.
    • The treaty resulted in the dismemberment of the former kingdom.
    • The dismemberment of the empire led to decades of conflict.
    • Shareholders voted against the dismemberment of the corporation.
Antonyms