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
Synonyms
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
The Antonito headquarters — listed on the National Register of Historic Places — began to disintegrate.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Rhabdomyolysis or rhabdo – a rare condition that can be life-threatening – happens when muscles break down, possibly even disintegrate, after a strenuous workout, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Michelle Watson, CNN, 23 Sep. 2024
Afghan security forces disintegrated over the next few months as the Taliban swept across the country and into the capital.
—Dan Lamothe and Abigail Hauslohner The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Sep. 2024
The paleontological and archaeological remains preserved within them would disintegrate at the surface, which makes these caves a perfect time capsule.
—Martin Broen, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate 
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Rhabdomyolysis or rhabdo – a rare condition that can be life-threatening – happens when muscles break down, possibly even disintegrate, after a strenuous workout, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Michelle Watson, CNN, 23 Sep. 2024
Afghan security forces disintegrated over the next few months as the Taliban swept across the country and into the capital.
—Dan Lamothe and Abigail Hauslohner The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Sep. 2024
The paleontological and archaeological remains preserved within them would disintegrate at the surface, which makes these caves a perfect time capsule.
—Martin Broen, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disintegrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near disintegrate
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegrate. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share