Master confusing words with ease
Disassemble vs. Dissemble
Disassemble
/ˌdɪsəˈsembl/Examples:
He decided to disassemble the computer to fix it.The mechanic had to disassemble the engine to repair the leak.You'll need a special tool to disassemble the furniture safely.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Dissemble
/dɪˈsembəl/Examples:
She dissembled her true feelings during the negotiation.The spy was trained to dissemble in high-risk situations.He dissembled his intentions to gain their trust.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Disassemble has assemble in it, which means to put together, so think of disassemble as the opposite, which is to take apart.
- Remember that dissemble has a double s like deceptive begins with d, indicating something is hidden or pretended.
- Disassemble relates to physical objects being taken apart; think of dissembling as related to ideas or truth being covered up.
- The prefix dis- in both words means to loosen or take away, but what follows indicates what is being acted upon: assemble for objects, semble for truths or appearances.
- Dissemble sounds like resemble, which can help you recall that it refers to altering appearances or hiding true intentions.
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