1
as in to decompose
to go through decomposition
fallen leaves slowly disintegrate over the course of the winter
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grind
to reduce to fine particles
modern air pollution is gradually disintegrating the ancient temple's irreplaceable friezes
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3
as in to disrupt
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
a tornado disintegrated the building in a matter of seconds
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disintegrate
The meteor was moving southwest at 30,000 miles per hour and traveled 117 miles through the upper atmosphere before disintegrating 27 miles above the town of Galloway north of Atlantic City, New Jersey, according to NASA.
—
Kate Perez, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Others, however, remain faint or even fragment or disintegrate entirely.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 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
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Kate Perez, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Others, however, remain faint or even fragment or disintegrate entirely.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 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
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disintegrate
Verb
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In November 2019, soil engineer Tim Neiligan, a former FBI chemist, began researching how bodies decompose in soil.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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These microorganisms will decompose the organic carbon chains and release the nutrients.—
Haniya Rae,
Martha Stewart,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Software and computer systems design payrolls have been grinding lower recently, as have those of computer and electronics manufacturers.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
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Garbage disposals can grind small pieces of food and granules; however, large, hard and fibrous foods will cause clogs and residue over time in the disposal.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Allen was injured but was not shot during the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton, which disrupted one of the highest-profile annual events in the nation’s capital.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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Several airlines are offering limited-time fares to help accommodate passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted by Spirit’s closure.—
Scott Laird,
Travel + Leisure,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Researchers stressed that living plastics can function when the spores are dormant and decay when the spores are activated.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
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This includes some that pass through each other like ghosts, some that interact with each other, exchanging energy, and others that decay into smaller particles, releasing a tiny bit of energy in the process.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Akiira’Ley Vazquez went the distance while striking out 11 as well as crushing two home runs and driving in four as Greater New Bedford topped Old Rochester 10-2 in South Coast Conference action.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
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Our restaurant teams have been absolutely crushed in the best possible way, working around the clock to keep up with the response, the lines, and the wave after wave of Royals fans showing up hungry.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Even the ugly stuff broke the Knicks’ way.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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Venus Williams was not the only guest to break the fourth wall with an artistic reference to herself.—
Beatrice Dupuy,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Verb
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This could explain why the scent of cigarette smoke and rotting fish had an impact on people who were snoozing, but not on people who were awake.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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Ventilation holes allow air to circulate to prevent mold or rot.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Charlotte area received 2 to 2 1/2 inches of sometimes pounding rain this week, according to the National Weather Service.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
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Larnach’s two-run double in the fourth inning on Tuesdsay split the gap and broke the game open as the Twins pounded the Washington Nationals 11-3 at Nationals Park.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disintegrate. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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