DISSECT Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'dissect' distinct from other similar verbs?

The words analyze and break down are common synonyms of dissect . While all three words mean "to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements," dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny. // commentators dissected every word of the speech

Q: When might 'analyze' be a better fit than 'dissect'?

The words analyze and dissect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships. // analyzed the collected data

Q: When can 'break down' be used instead of 'dissect'?

The meanings of break down and dissect largely overlap; however, break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions. // break down the budget

dissect

verb

dī-ˈsekt

Definition of dissect next

as in to analyze

to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships let's dissect the plot of this thriller to see what makes it thrilling

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How is the word dissect distinct from other similar verbs?

The words analyze and break down are common synonyms of dissect. While all three words mean "to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements," dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.

commentators dissected every word of the speech

When might analyze be a better fit than dissect?

The words analyze and dissect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.

analyzed the collected data

When can break down be used instead of dissect?

The meanings of break down and dissect largely overlap; however, break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.

break down the budget

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dissect For reasons that have been dissected for years now, half of our country has become so angry and radicalized that this movement towards a repressive and exclusionary authoritarianism will not be defeated this November. —

Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024 The 2024 trial of Karen Read, a Massachusetts woman accused of running over her boyfriend with a car, also became a fixation on the app, with true crime accounts raking in millions of views by dissecting testimony and trial evidence. —

Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024 The Mad Max: Fury Road star sat down with Entertainment Weekly to dissect Venom fan theories alongside Kelly Marcel, director of Venom: The Last Dance and writer of all three films in the trilogy. —

Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024 For the family of the Army reservist who carried out a mass shooting across Maine's second-largest city one year ago, dissecting what provoked the deadly rampage has been daunting. —

Brenda Breslauer, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dissect