dissipate 1 of 2

dissipate

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dissipate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dissipate are dispel, disperse, and scatter. While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

When could dispel be used to replace dissipate?

In some situations, the words dispel and dissipate are roughly equivalent. However, dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

When might disperse be a better fit than dissipate?

The synonyms disperse and dissipate are sometimes interchangeable, but disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

When can scatter be used instead of dissipate?

While the synonyms scatter and dissipate are close in meaning, scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dissipate
Noun
While some of the tornadoes dissipated quickly, others were more persistent. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025 There’s a certain monotony that engulfs the gym during the rigors of training camp, and that dissipates somewhat when a game day is in view. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025 Alcohol added at the start of cooking has the best chance of dissipating. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025 As a result, reliance on these reports for securities claims does not appear to be dissipating. Tim Reynolds, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dissipate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissipate
Verb
  • Also, steer clear of hand dryers, which Exum said can disperse germs.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Five bedrooms are dispersed across the upper level, including the sprawling primary suite.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With wine pairings, expect to spend around €120 for two people.
    Emilio Parra Doiztua, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Fortune’s series, The Good Life, shows how up-and-coming leaders spend their time and money outside of work.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This work is especially critical there, as the region has experienced a dramatic decline, with some studies estimating that over 85% of its historic oyster reefs have disappeared.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Framed by her Pepto-pink hair — another Moisturizer-era change — Teasdale bodyrolls and thrashes around, singing so wildly that the edges of her mouth seem to disappear.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Show me exactly how to reorganize my day to focus on growth drivers first, which of my tasks are secretly time-wasters dressed as important work, and how to say no to everything else.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For example, default settings for focus time added blocking of sites in the categories Shopping, Tabloids, and Time wasters.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • And even after losing Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery in spring training, the Yankees’ rotation finished with the fourth-best ERA in baseball.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • People are losing their jobs and millions are about to lose their health care.
    Maria Shriver, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hydrometallurgy dissolves battery materials in strong acids, which requires large quantities of chemical reagents and produces liquid waste streams that must be treated.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
  • After dissolving their own three-person police force, the village has struggled to find a way to enforce village laws, the mayor said.
    Erin Glynn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When measured by budget deficit – the gap between government spending and revenue – France is also among the most spendthrift in the European Union, according to Eurostat, the bloc’s statistics office.
    Ana Nicolaci da Costa, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Their spending habits were that of a spendthrift, and there was only one parent really making any income.
    R29 Team, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That legacy hasn’t faded, but the region feels freshly alive these days as chefs, artists, and creative entrepreneurs put down roots.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
  • With spring bloomers like azaleas, wait to prune later in spring after the flowers have faded.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dissipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissipate. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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