disintegrate

verb

dis·​in·​te·​grate (ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrāt 

disintegrated; disintegrating; disintegrates

transitive verb

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.

intransitive verb

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

disintegrative

(ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrā-tiv 

adjective

disintegrator

(ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of disintegrate

• decompose
• decay
• rot

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

So far, 10 defendants in three separate cases have seen pending criminal charges disintegrate due to the scandal. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

The experiments have shown how a self-repair mechanism enables the spindle to stabilize itself under force and avoid disintegrating. — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 29 June 2026

In the fifth century CE, the western half of the Roman Empire disintegrated into a patchwork of new kingdoms and new rulers. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

Newton was undeniably the face of Charlotte sports from the day he was drafted in 2011 until the year his career began to disintegrate due to injuries, in 2019. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for disintegrate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids 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

disintegrator

-ˌgrāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

disintegrate

verb

dis·​in·​te·​grate (ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt 

disintegrated; disintegrating

transitive verb

: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles

intransitive verb

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

disintegration

(ˌ)dis-ˌint-ə-ˈgrā-shən 

noun