What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Decapitate vs Dismember - What's the difference?

decapitate | dismember |

In transitive terms the difference between decapitate and dismember

is that decapitate is to remove the head of while dismember is to cut or otherwise divide something into pieces.

decapitate

English

Verb

(decapitat)
  • To remove the head of.

    • Synonyms

    * behead * decollate

    Antonyms

    * recapitate

    Derived terms

    * decapitation ----

    dismember

    English

    Alternative forms

    * dismembre (obsolete)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To remove the limbs of.
    • Death by drawing and quartering usually dismembered the condemned person.
  • To cut or otherwise divide something into pieces.
    • The killer methodically dismembered the bodies of his victims.
    The American Civil War nearly dismembered the Union.

    Derived terms

    * dismemberment