1
as in to dissipate
to go off in different directions and cease to exist as a body or unified whole
the crowd dispersed once the show ended
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to scatter
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
the family of the missing woman dispersed searchers to all corners of the national park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to disband
to cease to exist or cause to cease to exist as a group or organization
the campaign staff dispersed almost immediately after the election
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disperse
Council was in the dark Centralina is one of 16 regional councils of government in the state that assist with dispersing federal and state money into communities for economic development, social services and other community needs.
—
Dan Kane
january 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
The lion had been seen traversing the city since at least Sunday and probably got lost while dispersing from its mother, the agency said.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some officers then deployed pepper balls, dispersing the crowd.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
And while most have been peaceful, there has been tear gas and pepper spray deployed to disperse these crowds.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Dan Kane
january 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
The lion had been seen traversing the city since at least Sunday and probably got lost while dispersing from its mother, the agency said.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some officers then deployed pepper balls, dispersing the crowd.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
And while most have been peaceful, there has been tear gas and pepper spray deployed to disperse these crowds.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disperse
Verb
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The Knox’s were detained after the brawl at the high school dissipated last year.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The bloom only dissipated after heavy snowfall finally blocked enough light from reaching it beneath the ice.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Seeds that require light to germinate are scattered on top of the growth medium or lightly pressed into it, but not covered.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
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Citing court documents, WANE reported that Swedzinski was found dead in his basement, with his gun safe open and scattered valuables.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Relations between the three soured in 2021 and following Rooney’s DUI arrest that September, the group quietly disbanded.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
24 Jan. 2026
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After the war, these programs were largely disbanded.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And the risks from hostile actors in the Middle East and China haven’t disappeared either.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
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That will not happen if the trooper disappears into the cavernous state building that devoured more than $200 million in public funds for a yearslong renovation project.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Imagine trying to build a sturdy wall with bricks that keep floating away into thin air—that’s essentially what happens when cathode material dissolves in a thermal battery.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
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Kyodo | Via Reuters Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is planning to dissolve the country’s Lower House later this month and opt for a snap election likely in February, according to public broadcaster NHK.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The designer honors his Azerbaijani heritage, working with artisans from across Azerbaijan and Georgia to create rich, unique textures, while helping to support rural communities and preserve fading artisanal skills.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
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Other factors for the warmer spring include a fading La Niña, a weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean that can bring cool temperatures to the United States.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disperse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disperse. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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