pulverize

verb

pul·​ver·​ize ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz 

pulverized; pulverizing

transitive verb

1

: to reduce (as by crushing, beating, or grinding) to very small particles : atomize

pulverize rock

2

: annihilate, demolish

intransitive verb

: to become pulverized

pulverizable

ˌpəl-və-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

pulverization

ˌpəl-və-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpəlv-rə-

noun

pulverizer

ˈpəl-və-ˌrī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of pulverize

• destroy
• demolish
• shatter
• ruin
• devastate
• smash
• wreck

Examples of pulverize in a Sentence

The mower pulverizes grass clippings.

Bits of pulverized rock filled the air.

Recent Examples on the Web

And don't pulverize clay into dust—this worsens soil compaction. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 June 2026

Earlier crash test footage shows crash test dummy drivers getting absolutely pulverized on impact. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 18 June 2026

The rest — bottles, cups, ties, get washed into our oceans, entangling sea birds and when they get pulverized into microplastics, they’re eaten by sea turtles who often die. — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 18 May 2026

The garbanzos are sometimes roasted before pulverizing, lending the yellow powder a richer, nuttier taste. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin pulverizare, from Latin pulver-, pulvis dust, powder — more at powder

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for pulverize

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

Kids Definition

pulverize

verb

pul·​ver·​ize ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz 

pulverized; pulverizing

1

: to beat or grind into a powder or dust

2

: to destroy as if by pulverizing

Medical Definition

pulverize

verb

pul·​ver·​ize

variants also British pulverise

ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz 

pulverized also British pulverised; pulverizing also British pulverising

transitive verb

: to reduce (as by crushing, beating, or grinding) to very small particles

intransitive verb

: to become pulverized