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
By removing microscopic defects and smoothing the surface, this coating ensures efficient energy flow while preventing the cell from disintegrating under intense heat.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
The very flying machine that now seemed destined to disintegrate in midair with us and the little girl.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
These signs indicate that the iceberg could be just days or weeks from disintegrating completely.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026
Eberflus’ best intentions and vision for winning football disintegrated due in part to his team’s lack of discipline and the coaching staff’s inability to steer out of even the smallest skids.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
The very flying machine that now seemed destined to disintegrate in midair with us and the little girl.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
These signs indicate that the iceberg could be just days or weeks from disintegrating completely.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026
Eberflus’ best intentions and vision for winning football disintegrated due in part to his team’s lack of discipline and the coaching staff’s inability to steer out of even the smallest skids.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disintegrate
Verb
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But Jewish artist Nina Sanadze saw a chance to immortalize the bouquets, even as their petals faded and decomposed.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
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In January Choose an organic mulch that will gradually decompose and add nutrients to the soil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Regina must have ground the beans the night before—no one else ever thought to help.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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More than 50 of the 62 House Democrats in August boarded a chartered jet to Chicago to grind action in the 150-member chamber to a halt ahead of the debate on the redistricting plan.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Both sides say the strike will disrupt hospital operations.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The United States on June 25 launched a new satellite expected to significantly improve forecasts of solar flares and coronal mass ejections — huge plasma bubbles that can crash into Earth, disrupting power grids and communications.—
Sasirekha Subramanian,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In essence, this would mean that alpha particles (helium nuclei) released by decaying uranium (or some other fissile material) would be focused through engine nozzles to generate thrust.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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While many have decayed, some have been lovingly restored, such as Palermo’s Neo-Gothic Palazzo Alliata di Pietratagliata, which has remained in the same family since the 15th century.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The speedy little Mercedes slipped beneath the truck, nudging it lightly in the belly, and contracted, crushing within itself two male bodies slack with drink and sleep.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
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Iranians also endure crushing poverty due to the regime’s policies.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Why the operating assumptions remain fixed even when leaders recognize they're broken.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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In a letter to the court, one woman said surgeons installed a metal plate in her arm, which was broken by a bullet.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There’s also more food than anyone knows what to do with; mangoes fall from trees, rot, and get crushed by golf carts.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
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Stout was a legendary gardener whose only garden input other than water was rotting hay.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Forecasters are warning the damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival a hurricane.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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By Jason Mackey Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PALM BEACH GARDENS — The pop of a catcher’s mitt mixed with saws screeching and hammers pounding provides an appropriate soundtrack inside Paul Skenes’ offseason workout facility, a baseball-lover’s paradise and an encapsulation of his unique personality.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disintegrate. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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