atomize

verb

at·​om·​ize ˈa-tə-ˌmīz 

atomized; atomizing

transitive verb

1

: to treat as made up of many discrete units

2

: to reduce to minute particles or to a fine spray

3

: divide, fragment

an atomized society

also : to deprive of meaningful ties to others

atomized individuals

4

: to subject to attack by nuclear weapons

atomization

ˌa-tə-mə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of atomize

• grind
• crush
• pound
• disintegrate
• beat
• powder
• pulverize

Examples of atomize in a Sentence

this medication for athlete's foot is atomized so that it can be sprayed on from an aerosol can

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the course of Exile, TV Rain’s studios as well as its various employees will be forced to move countries multiple times, everybody’s life and career atomized across the globe. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Phair felt she was atomized from the female coalitions of the ’90s, and that this co-bill might be a way to rectify that. — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

The great monoculture of which Parton was the apogee began to fall apart with the advent of cable television in the 1980s and was eventually atomized completely by the internet. — David Kamp, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Scientists found them by dissolving away the mud and counting microscopic glass shards, remnants of the molten magma the eruption atomized into ultra-fine and rapidly cooling dust. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for atomize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

atomize

verb

at·​om·​ize ˈat-ə-ˌmīz 

atomized; atomizing

: to reduce to very tiny particles or to a fine spray

Medical Definition

atomize

transitive verb

at·​om·​ize

variants or British atomise

ˈat-ə-ˌmīz 

atomized or British atomised; atomizing or British atomising

: to convert to minute particles or to a fine spray

an atomized medicated powder

atomization noun

or British atomisation

ˌat-ə-mə-ˈzā-shən