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
Both its French and English versions use simple clear language to make devastating points about how quickly society can disintegrate into bellowing madness.
—
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
SpaceX already retires aging Starlink satellites by using fiery atmospheric re-entries to disintegrate the hardware.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
United could have disintegrated in the second period, fearing fate was against them.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Hollywood, the name for the entertainment industry headquartered and operating in Los Angeles County, is disintegrating.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
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Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
SpaceX already retires aging Starlink satellites by using fiery atmospheric re-entries to disintegrate the hardware.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
United could have disintegrated in the second period, fearing fate was against them.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Hollywood, the name for the entertainment industry headquartered and operating in Los Angeles County, is disintegrating.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegrate. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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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