atomize

verb

at·​om·​ize ˈa-tə-ˌmīz 

atomized; atomizing

transitive verb

1

: to treat as made up of many discrete units

2

: to reduce to minute particles or to a fine spray

3

: divide, fragment

an atomized society

also : to deprive of meaningful ties to others

atomized individuals

4

: to subject to attack by nuclear weapons

atomization

ˌa-tə-mə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of atomize

• grind
• crush
• pound
• disintegrate
• beat
• powder
• pulverize

Examples of atomize in a Sentence

this medication for athlete's foot is atomized so that it can be sprayed on from an aerosol can

Recent Examples on the Web

Herds routinely grow, shrink, atomize. — Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025

The team used a micro-dispenser that emits minute droplets of liquid fragrance, along with ultrasound waves to atomize those droplets into a fine mist. — Shirl Leigh march 31, New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2026

Maybe a sleek ship is being chased by enemy fighters through a dense asteroid field, and one of them smashes into a massive space rock and is explosively atomized. — Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 May 2026

Minnesotans have found and loved one another in a world atomized by social media, where empty men have tried to fill their lonely soul with lies about their own inherent superiority. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for atomize

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

Kids Definition

atomize

verb

at·​om·​ize ˈat-ə-ˌmīz 

atomized; atomizing

: to reduce to very tiny particles or to a fine spray

Medical Definition

atomize

transitive verb

at·​om·​ize

variants or British atomise

ˈat-ə-ˌmīz 

atomized or British atomised; atomizing or British atomising

: to convert to minute particles or to a fine spray

an atomized medicated powder

atomization noun

or British atomisation

ˌat-ə-mə-ˈzā-shən