1
as in to decompose
to go through decomposition
fallen leaves slowly disintegrate over the course of the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Even those who can afford to stay suffer losses in home equity and lifestyle as the community around them disintegrates or disappears.
—
Zac Taylor, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
In humans with advanced metabolic disease, the same collapse plays out in Charcot’s foot, where the bones of the ankle and midfoot fracture and disintegrate under the weight of a body the metabolism can no longer regulate.
—Joshua Moen, STAT, 8 June 2026
None are quite about the conflicting frames of reference and value that arise when an ancient cultural formation disintegrates and a successor has yet to take its place.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Right now, the rings furthest from the planet are disintegrating and drifting into space.
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Zac Taylor, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
In humans with advanced metabolic disease, the same collapse plays out in Charcot’s foot, where the bones of the ankle and midfoot fracture and disintegrate under the weight of a body the metabolism can no longer regulate.
—Joshua Moen, STAT, 8 June 2026
None are quite about the conflicting frames of reference and value that arise when an ancient cultural formation disintegrates and a successor has yet to take its place.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Right now, the rings furthest from the planet are disintegrating and drifting into space.
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disintegrate
Verb
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How long does cardboard take to decompose in the garden?—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
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This sets them apart from other natural mulches like straw and wood chips, which have a high carbon content and take a year or more to decompose fully.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
11 June 2026
Verb
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That ability, according to a white paper by one of the manufacturers, is possible through technology that allows an agent to communicate with the drone and substitute themselves as the operator, take it over and ground it.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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The Food Processor quickly chops, slices, and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations, while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices, and herbs for superior flavor and potency.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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And of how Iran’s preparation for this World Cup has been disrupted, this is definitely among the more minor.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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In their letter, the senators cited the approaching El Niño — a periodic Pacific warming that disrupts weather patterns and supercharges marine heat waves — as evidence the cuts are particularly ill timed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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At a time when the Earth was bare, when there were no vertebrates, no trees, no leaves, no flowering plants, and no plants with seeds, millipedes were feeding on decaying mosses, decomposed slime, and primordial gunk.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
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The cancer instructs the body to build super roadways (blood vessels) and homes (tumor cells) resistant to decay.—
Charles J. Dimitroff,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
Verb
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After Mexico suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat to Sweden, their hopes of advancing hinged on South Korea’s team pulling off an unlikely victory over Germany.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Suddenly, a driver is faced with the possibility of being crushed by a mammal the size of a grand piano—and its massive antlers.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The Cubs were in first place After consecutive 83-win seasons, the Cubs pushed their chips into the middle of the table, swinging a trade for Kyle Tucker, signing Matthew Boyd and Carson Kelly in free agency and opening up a lane for then-top prospect Matt Shaw to break camp with the club.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Let’s break it down by the jobs, which are numbered according to descending tear-off sheets on the contestants’ work stations.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Verb
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These textiles slowly rot and release greenhouse gases, while synthetic or mixed fabrics release chemicals, microplastics, and forever chemicals.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
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The team aimed to fashion a rotting meat smell to recreate this slightly unhygienic oral arrangement.—
RJ Mackenzie,
Popular Science,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The war killed more than 3,300 Iranians, according to state media, including top leaders, and pounded the country's infrastructure and armed forces.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
19 June 2026
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One of the deputies shone his light through the window and pounded on the door again.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disintegrate. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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