1
as in to dissipate
to go off in different directions and cease to exist as a body or unified whole
the crowd dispersed once the show ended
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to scatter
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
the family of the missing woman dispersed searchers to all corners of the national park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to disband
to cease to exist or cause to cease to exist as a group or organization
the campaign staff dispersed almost immediately after the election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disperse
The secrets tumbling out of the past double to inform our perception of the present, and they’re dispersed at a steady pace, which helps to keep us hooked.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
Because the center remains under renovation for a substantial expansion, the SXSW events will be dispersed throughout several downtown venues.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Design components that disperse them at such heights — including a protective coating on the submunitions that can withstand the heat of atmospheric reentry — appear to show they were built for far less precise use than cluster munitions seen in other conflicts.
—Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The remaining visitors, a more intrepid bunch, dispersed themselves across a landmass the size of California.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
Because the center remains under renovation for a substantial expansion, the SXSW events will be dispersed throughout several downtown venues.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Design components that disperse them at such heights — including a protective coating on the submunitions that can withstand the heat of atmospheric reentry — appear to show they were built for far less precise use than cluster munitions seen in other conflicts.
—Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The remaining visitors, a more intrepid bunch, dispersed themselves across a landmass the size of California.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disperse
Verb
-
The category order, the placement of presenters, the momentum built across three-plus hours — all of it is engineered to honor that openness, to let the competitive tension breathe rather than dissipate.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Paint colors – especially dark ones – can have an impact on how heat is dissipated from the aircraft.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The warheads burst open at high altitudes, scattering dozens of smaller bomblets across a wide area.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Level 1 means isolated but brief severe thunderstorms are possible, while level 2 means severe storms could be more scattered across a wider area.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Order 2 disbanded the Iraqi army but did not disarm it.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The Florida revelations came after the statewide New York Young Republicans chapter was disbanded last fall after antisemitic and racist messages between chapter leadership were leaked to the press.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The charm may have disappeared for the teenage me with the end of season six, but there is no denying the lasting impact of the show.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Residents in South Philadelphia say package theft has surged in their neighborhood, and some believe squatters are responsible for the majority of disappearing packages.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bones in her shoulder were dissolving, something called osteolysis.—
Scott Pelley,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Last Friday, Altman posted on X that OpenAI had reached an agreement with DOD just hours after news broke that Anthropic’s relationship with the administration would be dissolved.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Will those quality wins be enough to bolster the tournament hopes that seem to fade with each score update from across the country?—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Similarly, faded or outdated trim and porch columns stick out in a modern neighborhood, but these features can be updated with a quick coat of paint or stain to enhance the look of your home.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disperse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disperse. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
