disintegrate
verb
dis·in·te·grate
(ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrāt 
disintegrated; disintegrating; disintegrates
1
: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles
water disintegrates the limestone
2
: to destroy the unity or integrity (see integrity sense 3) of
The lies disintegrated their marriage.
1
: to break or separate into constituent elements or parts
The iron hinges were disintegrating into dust.
2
: to lose unity or integrity by or as if by breaking into parts
The relationship started to disintegrate.
3
: to undergo a change in composition (see composition sense 2)
an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
Synonyms
Examples of disintegrate in a Sentence
The paper will disintegrate if it gets wet.
The laser can disintegrate most kinds of rock.
Recent Examples on the Web
With just water, the hot steam disintegrates dirt, slime, and mold on surfaces.
Black+Decker PowerSeries+ Max Cordless Stick Vacuum
Fans of cordless vacuum cleaners will appreciate this lightweight model that can suck up pet hair and dirt with ease — and do so for up to 40 minutes in one charge.
—
Melissa Epifano, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024
Bottles containing liquids, gels, serums, oils, and sprays can leak when jostled around, making a mess and causing the cardboard to disintegrate.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024
When the debris trail intersects Earth's atmosphere, the debris disintegrates and creates streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2024
The tension is aptly conveyed in U2’s show, when the videography dissipates, as if the dome were disintegrating, to reveal the chaos, frenzy, and reality of the surrounding city.
—Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate 
Melissa Epifano, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024
Bottles containing liquids, gels, serums, oils, and sprays can leak when jostled around, making a mess and causing the cardboard to disintegrate.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024
When the debris trail intersects Earth's atmosphere, the debris disintegrates and creates streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2024
The tension is aptly conveyed in U2’s show, when the videography dissipates, as if the dome were disintegrating, to reveal the chaos, frenzy, and reality of the surrounding city.
—Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disintegrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near disintegrate
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegrate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disintegrate
verb
dis·in·te·grate
(ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt
1
: to break or decompose into the elements, parts, or small particles making up something
2
: to go through a change in composition
an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
Medical Definition
disintegrate
verb
dis·in·te·grate
(ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt
disintegrated; disintegrating
: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles
1
: to break or separate into constituent elements or parts
2
: to undergo a change in composition
an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share