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
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
Organic materials like wood, leather, and fabric — which often remain remarkably preserved in the cold, low-oxygen depths — can begin to warp, crumble or disintegrate as dormant bacteria and fungi reactivate.
—
Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
Researchers think the deceased was buried in a wooden coffin that has long since disintegrated.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025
Her dad used a rake, slowly attempting to pull the body out, but Johnson said the body snapped and disintegrated.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Minerals that disintegrate in the presence of oxygen were found locked up in ancient riverbeds older than a certain age.
—Laura Poppick, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
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Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
Researchers think the deceased was buried in a wooden coffin that has long since disintegrated.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025
Her dad used a rake, slowly attempting to pull the body out, but Johnson said the body snapped and disintegrated.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Minerals that disintegrate in the presence of oxygen were found locked up in ancient riverbeds older than a certain age.
—Laura Poppick, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegrate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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
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