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
The debris collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.
—
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 12 Aug. 2025
The grippy silicone sleeves reduce the slip factor, and (most importantly) can go in the dishwasher endlessly — no worries about stickers disintegrating or markers fading, thus (ostensibly) reducing the chance the black hole claims yet another water bottle victim.
—Alex Apatoff, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Instead, the rock show disintegrated into a riot that injured 162 people, including 126 police officers.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
It was stained in several places, disintegrating around the edges, and already yellowing due to years of exposure to air and sunlight and, quite possibly, pipe tobacco.
—Darcy Ballantyne
july 16, Literary Hub, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 12 Aug. 2025
The grippy silicone sleeves reduce the slip factor, and (most importantly) can go in the dishwasher endlessly — no worries about stickers disintegrating or markers fading, thus (ostensibly) reducing the chance the black hole claims yet another water bottle victim.
—Alex Apatoff, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Instead, the rock show disintegrated into a riot that injured 162 people, including 126 police officers.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
It was stained in several places, disintegrating around the edges, and already yellowing due to years of exposure to air and sunlight and, quite possibly, pipe tobacco.
—Darcy Ballantyne
july 16, Literary Hub, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegrate. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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