disintegration
noun
dis·in·te·gra·tion
(ˌ)dis-ˌin-tə-ˈgrā-shən 
plural disintegrations
: the act or process of disintegrating or the state of being disintegrated: such as
a
: the breaking down of something into small particles or into its constituent elements
Some glaciers have been destabilized by warmer ocean waters. Scientists fear that parts of the ice sheet may be in the early stages of an unstoppable disintegration.—
Justin Gillis
Justin GillisBut miraculously, officials say, the countless bits of debris from the disintegration of the space shuttle Columbia injured not a soul on the ground.—The New York Times
The New York Times
b
: loss of unity or integrity by or as if by breaking into parts
Declining sales led to the company's gradual disintegration and ultimate demise.
What's more, the fear of many conservatives that we might be at the mercy of unstoppable forces of social disintegration turned out to be wrong.—William Kristol
William KristolOver the long run, however, there is no substitute for addressing the root causes of crime—bad education and lack of job opportunities and the disintegration of families.—Daniel D. Polsby
Daniel D. PolsbyExamples of disintegration in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But even in its most opposing moments, from its depths of disintegration to its peaks of pattern-building, Spirals/Viral has a cryptic unity.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the Islamic Republic’s disintegration, whereas Trump, possibly satisfied with tactical success in Iran, may desire any graceful exit.
—Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
The British, too, were able to gain ascendancy by exploiting the political chaos caused by the disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
The emotional power of Miller’s tale has always radiated from disintegration – of Willy, of his family, of his dreams.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
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Reed Jackson, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the Islamic Republic’s disintegration, whereas Trump, possibly satisfied with tactical success in Iran, may desire any graceful exit.
—Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
The British, too, were able to gain ascendancy by exploiting the political chaos caused by the disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
The emotional power of Miller’s tale has always radiated from disintegration – of Willy, of his family, of his dreams.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disintegration
Cite this Entry
“Disintegration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegration. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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