vaporize

verb

va·​por·​ize ˈvā-pə-ˌrīz 

vaporized; vaporizing

transitive verb

1

: to convert (as by the application of heat or by spraying) into vapor

2

: to cause to become dissipated

3

: to destroy by or as if by converting into vapor

a tank vaporized by a shell

intransitive verb

1

: to become vaporized

2

: vapor sense 2

vaporizable

ˈvā-pə-ˌrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

vaporization

ˌvā-pər-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of vaporize

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

Examples of vaporize in a Sentence

Heat is used to vaporize the liquid.

Pressure causes the chemical to vaporize.

Recent Examples on the Web

The team thinks that this unique double structure is evidence of planets that weren't completely vaporized during this white dwarf's red giant phase. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Right before Jocasta vaporized Katerina Wells, Ultron took a 3-D scan of her face, the final biometric key Jocasta needs for her secret end goal. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026

When hit, the projectile breaks up, melts, and partially vaporizes. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Scientists have previously speculated that a GRB would vaporize anything caught in its death rays up to 200 light-years from the source. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

vapor entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for vaporize

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

Kids Definition

vaporize

verb

va·​por·​ize ˈvā-pə-ˌrīz 

vaporized; vaporizing

: to turn from a liquid or solid into vapor

vaporization

ˌvā-pə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

vaporize

verb

va·​por·​ize

variants also British vaporise

ˈvā-pə-ˌrīz 

vaporized also British vaporised; vaporizing also British vaporising

transitive verb

: to convert from a liquid or solid into a vapor

vaporized plaque in an artery with laser treatment

intransitive verb

: to become vaporized

vaporizable adjective

also British vaporisable

-ˌrī-zə-bəl