disintegrate

verb

dis·in·te·grate | \ (ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrāt

Definition of disintegrate

transitive verb

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.

intransitive verb

1 : to break or separate into constituent elements or parts The iron hinges were disintegrateing 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

Other Words from disintegrate Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about disintegrate

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Other words from disintegrate

disintegration \(ˌ)dis-ˌin-tə-ˈgrā-shən

\ noun

disintegrative \(ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrā-tiv

\ adjective

disintegrator \-ˌgrā-tər

\ noun

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

One shot showed the rocks disintegrating when coming close to the user, while in another, a rock sailed past the user’s head. — Ron Hurtibise, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Magic Leap's latest sneak peak draws mixed reviews," 11 July 2018 In ’16, the season after Dallas Keuchel broke out to win the Cy Young Award, his performance had disintegrated along with his team’s. — Ben Reiter, SI.com, "Why Carlos Beltrán Was the Perfect Addition to Aid the Astros' Journey to the World Series," 9 July 2018 But the case disintegrated on the eve of trial when DNA tests urged by defense lawyer Mary Ellen Attridge revealed Stephanie Crowe’s blood on a shirt worn by a transient seen in the Crowe family's neighborhood the night of the killing. — Greg Moran, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Families in high profile cases come out in final days of DA race," 2 June 2018 Nobody should die waiting for a kidney that is buried in the ground, disintegrating. — Longreads, "Somewhere Under My Left Ribs: A Nurse’s Story," 31 May 2018 The crater floor began to disintegrate a week ago, triggering a series of earthquakes. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, "Hawaii volcano has community under siege from lava flow: Here's what we know," 7 May 2018 One was during a launch to the International Space Station and the rocket disintegrated during flight. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Verge science reporter Loren Grush on Too Embarrassed to Ask," 24 Apr. 2018 Tropical Storm Beryl disintegrated after rushing over Dominica and into the eastern Caribbean overnight. — Fox News, "The Latest: 20,000 lose power in Puerto Rico storm," 10 July 2018 The world of slavery disintegrates in the elemental confrontations of the chase. — New York Times, "Fleeing a Caribbean Plantation Into a Mythic Wilderness," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disintegrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.