disintegrate

1 to go through decomposition fallen leaves slowly disintegrate over the course of the winter Synonyms break down, corrupt, decompose, decay, fester, foul, mold, molder, perish [chiefly British], putrefy, rot, spoilRelated Words sour, turn, turn off [British]; contaminate, defile, pollute, taint; addle, curdle, ferment; mortify; rust; crumble, decline, degenerate, descend, deteriorate, dilapidate, sink, witherNear Antonyms age, develop, grow, mature, ripen; refresh, renew, restore; cleanse, purify; assemble, compose, integrate; ameliorate, better, improve, meliorate

2 to reduce to fine particles modern air pollution is gradually disintegrating the ancient temple's irreplaceable friezes Synonyms atomize, beat, bray, comminute, crush, powder, grind, mill, mull, pound, pulverizeRelated Words grate, kibble; crumble, crunch; break, bust, dash, fracture, fragment; shatter, smash, splinter; micronize