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
These plans disintegrated in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the taking of 251 hostages.
—
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
But explaining Dyer’s motivations in the face of a disintegrating family portrayed in & Sons remains a bit of an uphill climb for Nighy.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Before flight 10, Starship's most recent demonstration came on May 27, when the spacecraft spun out of control roughly halfway through its flight and disintegrated in a fireball.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
The situation quickly disintegrated as Joseph Gerber, 45, who had an outstanding felony warrant, fired first and wounded Mancera.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
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Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
But explaining Dyer’s motivations in the face of a disintegrating family portrayed in & Sons remains a bit of an uphill climb for Nighy.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Before flight 10, Starship's most recent demonstration came on May 27, when the spacecraft spun out of control roughly halfway through its flight and disintegrated in a fireball.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
The situation quickly disintegrated as Joseph Gerber, 45, who had an outstanding felony warrant, fired first and wounded Mancera.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 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 14 Sep. 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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