disperse

verb

dis·​perse di-ˈspərs 

dispersed; dispersing

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to break up (see break up sense 1a)

police dispersed the crowd

b

: to cause to become spread widely

disperse the troops

c

: to cause to evaporate or vanish

sunlight dispersing the mist

2

: to spread or distribute from a fixed or constant source: such as

a

archaic : disseminate

disperse the news

b

physics : to subject to dispersion (see dispersion sense 4)

disperse light

c

chemistry : to distribute (something, such as fine particles) more or less evenly throughout a medium

intransitive verb

1

: to break up in random fashion

the crowd dispersed on request

2

a

: to become dispersed

the particles dispersed throughout the mixture

b

: dissipate, vanish

the fog dispersed toward morning

dispersedly

di-ˈspər-səd-lē 

-ˈspərst-lē

adverb

disperser noun

dispersible

di-ˈspər-sə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• disassemble
• dissipate
• dissolve
• scatter

Choose the Right Synonym for disperse

scatter, disperse, dissipate, dispel mean to cause to separate or break up.

scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

Examples of disperse in a Sentence

Police ordered the crowd to disperse.

the crowd dispersed once the show ended

Recent Examples on the Web

The ashes should also be completely dispersed and not piled in one location or buried. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024

During the Revolution, about 20 of the Mays were dispersed when all ecclesiastical property was seized. —Lindsey Tramuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2024

These work by dispersing pressure around the callus, effectively offloading the area to help prevent further build-up of skin cells, Dr. Hymowitz explains. —Lacey Muinos, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2024

The last time the school’s administration brought in the NYPD to disperse demonstrations was in 1996, and many on campus were in shock. —Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024

Some faculty members are unhappy with Shafik’s decision to call in the New York Police Department to disperse the pro-Palestinian protesters, while others are calling on her to call the police back to clear an encampment on campus. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024

In Oregon, there’s a fungus that actually rides in truck tire treads and gets dispersed up the road network that way and kills trees. —Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024

Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is typically fall, when everything is still open but the summer crowds have dispersed. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024

Palestinians are seen lobbing rocks at the settlers, and Israeli military vehicles firing tear gas to disperse the crowds. —Abeer Salman, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin dispersus, past participle of dispergere to scatter, from dis- + spargere to scatter — more at spark

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

disperse

verb

dis·​perse dis-ˈpərs 

dispersed; dispersing

1

: to cause to become spread widely : scatter

police dispersed the crowd

2

: to subject (as light) to dispersion

3

: to move in different directions

the clouds dispersed

Medical Definition

disperse

verb

dis·​perse dis-ˈpərs 

dispersed; dispersing

transitive verb

: to spread or distribute from a fixed or constant source: as

a

: to subject (as light) to dispersion

b

: to distribute (as fine particles) more or less evenly throughout a medium

intransitive verb

: to become dispersed