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 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 2) an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
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Examples of disintegrate in a Sentence
The paper will disintegrate if it gets wet.
The laser can disintegrate most kinds of rock.
Recent Examples of disintegrate from the Web
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There are fears, however, that the shelf could in future share the fate of its neighbour, Larsen B, which disintegrated entirely within a few weeks in 2002.
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If the ice shelf were to continue to disintegrate, this ice might flow more rapidly into the sea.
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Even while still contributing in the field, Alex Gordon and Alcides Escobar seemed to have disintegrated at the plate.
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The stream quickly turned into a raging torrent, causing the crowds on the cofferdam to flee the water, dirt and huge timbers that had comprised the rapidly disintegrating cofferdam.
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Flimsy paper plates collapse under single-patty burgers; napkins disintegrate at the tiniest hint of beer or barbecue sauce; forks snap in the hands of anyone who can bench more than 20 pounds.
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That would fulfill the very worst fears that Temkin outlines in his piece about how these discussions can quickly disintegrate into false myths and misleading analogies.
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The prevailing notion says flexible straws were invented in the late 19th century by Marvin Stone, a D.C. man who didn’t like how the traditional ryegrass straw people used for drinking would disintegrate and leave gritty residue in his mint juleps.
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As her mother falls to breast cancer, Thandi disintegrates, and what follows is a loosely autobiographical exorcism of grief.
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.
First Known Use of disintegrate
1796
DISINTEGRATE Defined for English Language Learners
disintegrate
playDefinition of disintegrate for English Language Learners
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: to break apart into many small parts or pieces
DISINTEGRATE Defined for Kids
disintegrate
playDefinition of disintegrate for Students
disintegrated
;disintegrating
: to separate or break up into small parts or pieces
Medical Dictionary
disintegrate
playMedical Definition of disintegrate
disintegrated
;disintegrating
transitive verb
: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles1
intransitive verb
: to break or separate into constituent elements or parts2: to undergo a change in composition an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
Learn More about disintegrate
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See words that rhyme with disintegrate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disintegrate Spanish Central: Translation of disintegrate Nglish: Translation of disintegrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of disintegrate for Arabic speakers
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