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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Sites that preserve soft-bodied organisms are even rarer because soft tissues decompose more easily, making these places especially useful for piecing together prehistoric ecosystems.—
Marlowe Starling,
Quanta Magazine,
1 May 2026
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The idea is to let the body decompose naturally.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The production, directed with the brooding fluidity that is David Cromer’s calling card, is most alive in the evolving dynamic between Nick and Jacki, whose romance happens by degrees then all at once before reality intervenes and the criminal justice bureaucracy grinds to a halt.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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And, over the weekend, that community showed up in the simplest way possible — side by side in a gym, grinding through a workout, and remembering the ones who didn’t make it home.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The United Nations Development Programme reports that higher energy prices, disrupted food systems, and economic slowdowns triggered by the war could push up to thirty-two million people globally into poverty.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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Ahead of them, Joe Willock (white) was in position to defend a short corner and Jacob Murphy (orange) played a hybrid role to help disrupt Gabriel, before protecting the area near the penalty spot and also keeping an eye out for late runners.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 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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If the underdog Hawks had any hopes of evening this first-round series and forcing a winner-take-all Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks crushed those dreams in a matter of minutes.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
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The Sabres played to their strengths early, using their speed and pressure to force turnovers — three of which led to first-period goals, which absolutely crushed Boston early.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The film broke records for the best box office performance for a biopic in North America in its opening weekend and made $314 million worldwide in its first weekend in theaters.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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For travelers looking to break a sweat, there is a gym with two Pelotons, a handful of treadmills, and weights—plus a small outdoor space for yoga.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 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
-
In a historic display of dominance, the Knicks punched first and just kept pounding in Thursday night’s 140-89 victory in Game 6 at State Farm Arena to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
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As if that wasn't enough, the hospital is also in lockdown due to an active shooter, as Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) explains in the heart-pounding promo.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disintegrate. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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