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

Or this object, known by the prosaic designation C/2026 A1 (MAPS), could totally disintegrate, vaporized by the fierce heat of our star. —Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026

The car completely disintegrated, damaging several other vehicles. —Jessica Riley, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026

But shortly thereafter, its nucleus fragments and quickly disintegrates. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2026

Last year, the Dominican Republic deported more than 100,000 Haitians back to their disintegrating country. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 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