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
Before flight 10, Starship's most recent demonstration came on May 27, when the spacecraft spun out of control roughly halfway through its flight and disintegrated in a fireball.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
When breaking down what the heck happened over the last four months, the first item on the list is the way New York’s starting rotation disintegrated.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Her life starts to disintegrate as she becomes embroiled in the world of The Worrall Family.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
The electrical grid is disintegrating, with hours-long blackouts common across the island.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
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Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
When breaking down what the heck happened over the last four months, the first item on the list is the way New York’s starting rotation disintegrated.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Her life starts to disintegrate as she becomes embroiled in the world of The Worrall Family.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
The electrical grid is disintegrating, with hours-long blackouts common across the island.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 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 14 Oct. 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
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