1
as in decomposes
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 grinds
to reduce to fine particles
modern air pollution is gradually disintegrating the ancient temple's irreplaceable friezes
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in disrupts
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 disintegrates
The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The debris — space rocks known as meteoroids — collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 2 Jan. 2026
The debris — small rocks known as meteoroids — collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 27 Dec. 2025
The six-episode second season has followed how James and Ruby’s relationship disintegrates following their night of passion at the end of the first and the unexpected death of James’ mother.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Nov. 2025
While the missile could, in theory, bypass missile defenses, each test risks radioactive fallout if the reactor disintegrates during flight or on impact.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
Recruits typically come from deprived areas, and as Russia’s economy disintegrates in slow motion, the bonanza offered by the army looks increasingly appealing.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
What about uploading your brain to the cloud as your body disintegrates and becomes irrelevant?
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The debris — space rocks known as meteoroids — collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 2 Jan. 2026
The debris — small rocks known as meteoroids — collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 27 Dec. 2025
The six-episode second season has followed how James and Ruby’s relationship disintegrates following their night of passion at the end of the first and the unexpected death of James’ mother.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Nov. 2025
While the missile could, in theory, bypass missile defenses, each test risks radioactive fallout if the reactor disintegrates during flight or on impact.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
Recruits typically come from deprived areas, and as Russia’s economy disintegrates in slow motion, the bonanza offered by the army looks increasingly appealing.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
What about uploading your brain to the cloud as your body disintegrates and becomes irrelevant?
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disintegrates
Verb
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The research team developed a route-planning system for Astrobee, the ISS’s robotic assistant, that leverages sequential convex programming—a method that decomposes complex trajectory planning into smaller, tractable steps while guaranteeing safety and feasibility.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
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Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin that forms over centuries as plant material slowly decomposes under heat and pressure within the rocks of the Himalayan Mountains.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But Kingstown grinds him up through the prison riots, through being fired from his job to accidentally being responsible for the death of his mother.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
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But Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby mustered just two shot attempts apiece, spending their time watching idly as the Knicks offense incessantly grinds into a standstill.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The condition disrupts the production of CoQ10, a molecule essential for generating energy inside cells, leading to rapid neurological decline and loss of mobility.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Jan. 2026
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In other words, alcohol disrupts hydration, irritates the gut, inflames blood vessels, messes with sleep, and forces your liver into metabolic overdrive.—
Ciara Lucas,
SELF,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Grief gets layered on top of grief and secrets stack sky high as suburban normalcy decays into something at once alarmingly unstable and comfortingly funny.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 Dec. 2025
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This famously happens when a quantum object is measured, but in this case, the mystery crops up when the top quark decays into lighter particles.—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Burrell pounds his way down to the four-yard line.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The man simply pounds the zone.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And just seeing the damage there just breaks my heart.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
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My heart breaks for her family.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Critics have long warned that too much television rots your brain, but new evidence suggests at least some time in front of the tube may actually benefit your mental health.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
7 Jan. 2026
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If Britain continues down the path of criminalizing thought and prayer, the alliance risks being reduced to polite diplomacy while its moral core rots away.—
Lois McLatchie Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Diaz leaving town crushes the Mets' bullpen going forward.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
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And while many television shows about teenagers tend to focus on physical appearance, crushes, and drama, this series explores how the characters learn to embrace and use their own unique gifts, to work collaboratively, and solve problems that require critical thinking.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disintegrates. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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