disintegrate

verb

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

disintegrated; disintegrating; disintegrates

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 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

disintegrative

(ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrā-tiv 

adjective

disintegrator

(ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of disintegrate

• decompose
• decay
• rot

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

Watch On Their goal was to understand what happens when satellites disintegrate and what chemical compounds arise in the process. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026

The 110-floor south tower, struck shortly after the north tower by another plane, was disintegrating. — Diane Herbst, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2026

After a 2025 season in which their offensive line disintegrated before their eyes, the Chargers had every reason to believe this would be a bounce-back year. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

His relationship with his wife (Anna Faris) and kids is disintegrating and a National Enquirer journo keeps threatening to run an exposé of his infidelities. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for disintegrate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids 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

disintegrator

-ˌgrāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

disintegrate

verb

dis·​in·​te·​grate (ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt 

disintegrated; disintegrating

transitive verb

: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles

intransitive verb

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

disintegration

(ˌ)dis-ˌint-ə-ˈgrā-shən 

noun