pulverize

verb

pul·​ver·​ize ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz 

pulverized; pulverizing

transitive verb

1

: to reduce (as by crushing, beating, or grinding) to very small particles : atomize

pulverize rock

2

: annihilate, demolish

intransitive verb

: to become pulverized

pulverizable

ˌpəl-və-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

pulverization

ˌpəl-və-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpəlv-rə-

noun

pulverizer

ˈpəl-və-ˌrī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of pulverize

• destroy
• demolish
• shatter
• ruin
• devastate
• smash
• wreck

Examples of pulverize in a Sentence

The mower pulverizes grass clippings.

Bits of pulverized rock filled the air.

Recent Examples on the Web

This would lead to massive deceleration forces that instantly pulverize standard tracking electronics, leaving search teams completely blind. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

When the missile came, the explosion pulverized the building so completely that many victims could not immediately be identified. — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Medical offices are encouraged to shred, burn, pulp or pulverize physical documents, according to the website. — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2026

The garbanzos are sometimes roasted before pulverizing, lending the yellow powder a richer, nuttier taste. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin pulverizare, from Latin pulver-, pulvis dust, powder — more at powder

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for pulverize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

pulverize

verb

pul·​ver·​ize ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz 

pulverized; pulverizing

1

: to beat or grind into a powder or dust

2

: to destroy as if by pulverizing

Medical Definition

pulverize

verb

pul·​ver·​ize

variants also British pulverise

ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz 

pulverized also British pulverised; pulverizing also British pulverising

transitive verb

: to reduce (as by crushing, beating, or grinding) to very small particles

intransitive verb

: to become pulverized