pulverize

verb

pul·​ver·​ize ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz How to pronounce pulverize (audio)
pulverized; pulverizing

transitive verb

1
: to reduce (as by crushing, beating, or grinding) to very small particles : atomize
pulverize rock
2
pulverizable adjective
pulverization noun
pulverizer noun

Examples of pulverize in a Sentence

The mower pulverizes grass clippings. Bits of pulverized rock filled the air.
Recent Examples on the Web Otherwise, the situation will eventually revert to a grimmer version of the status quo ante, only with many more people dead on both sides and Gaza’s vital infrastructure pulverized. Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2023 Go to whatever town or city Robert Card came from and pulverize that city. Amanda Morris, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2023 Where once these worlds had twirled, the cataclysm left behind only a diminished molten lump and a churning 10-million-kilometer-wide cloud of incandescent vapor and pulverized debris that should eventually condense into a new, second-generation planet. Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2023 Here, after pulverizing them in the food processor along with garlic and scallions, they get mixed with buttermilk and sour cream and then seasoned (heavily, as the cold will dull the flavors) and chilled. Julie Giuffrida, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2023 After pulverizing an inferior Portland State team last week, the No. 13 Ducks face their first legit test — and their third-toughest road matchup of the season — against the Red Raiders. Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2023 Hours later, families were ripped apart and entire villages pulverized in an earthquake that lasted only seconds. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2023 Previous research has found that foods like acai bowls, soups, sauces, and even guacamole decrease in flavanols after they are pureed and pulverized—exposed to oxygen at an elevated rate. Rebecca Jaspan, Mph, Rd, Health, 29 Sep. 2023 The launch damaged SpaceX’s launchpad and spread debris and pulverized concrete across hundreds of acres of terrain. Alan Levin, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pulverize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pulverize was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pulverize

Cite this Entry

“Pulverize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pulverize. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

pulverize

verb
pul·​ver·​ize ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz How to pronounce pulverize (audio)
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
pulverized also British pulverised; pulverizing also British pulverising

transitive verb

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

More from Merriam-Webster on pulverize

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