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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disperse
Prior research suggested that this lineage evolved in Africa about 30 million to 25 million years ago and dispersed from there, according to Jiang.
—
Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
Ukraine’s tanks are dispersing on the battlefield—spreading out and hiding to avoid detection by drones—and also dispersing within the Ukrainian military’s force structure: playing more of a supporting role than a lead role in a war increasingly shaped by tiny, lethal robots.
—David Axe, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
New fiscal stimulus, like the American Rescue Plan Act, can take longer to disperse throughout the economy.
—Erica E. Phillips, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025
That left many filmmakers still searching for distribution long after the crowds dispersed.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
Ukraine’s tanks are dispersing on the battlefield—spreading out and hiding to avoid detection by drones—and also dispersing within the Ukrainian military’s force structure: playing more of a supporting role than a lead role in a war increasingly shaped by tiny, lethal robots.
—David Axe, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
New fiscal stimulus, like the American Rescue Plan Act, can take longer to disperse throughout the economy.
—Erica E. Phillips, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025
That left many filmmakers still searching for distribution long after the crowds dispersed.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disperse
Verb
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Traditional weddings are gradually dissipating, with a clear generational divide.—
Alex Backus,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
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While tensions don't exactly appear to be dissipating, these talks are the first sign that the trade rivals could reach a resolution after Trump raised tariffs on some Chinese imports as high as 145 percent.—
Ashley Belanger – May 7,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2025
Verb
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The positions are scattered across the agency from Guam to Fairbanks and Key West.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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This urine can simply be scattered around the ground, diluted into a fertilizer or disposed of in a toilet back home, depending on the situation.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Yet the Eighth Brigade, a 3,000 strong group of rebel Sunni forces in the Southern Daraa Governorate, disbanded in April after pressure from al-Sharaa.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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But the committee’s work was abruptly terminated when, on Feb. 28 – just a month after Trump’s inauguration – the new administration disbanded it.—
Alice Herman,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Julius Randle was one of the bright spots in Game 1, but disappeared in Game 2, scoring just six points with five rebounds on 2-for-11 shooting.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
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The film is also an introspective interrogation of Cruise's stardom, confronting its main character with uncomfortable realities: his world is artificial, insulated, and fleeting, and his multimillion-dollar good looks could disappear in an instant.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
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But the Supreme Court dissolved the order before any delay on an appeal by the attorney general.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
14 May 2025
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With only three months to negotiate a lasting trade agreement, the current reprieve could dissolve if talks stall or reverse.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Advisors who can build trust and act as a central coordinator for these services are invaluable—and often become long-term partners even after the spotlight fades.—
Jason Katz,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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When possible, keep your collection in a cool, dry place (away from direct sunlight) to prevent early deterioration or fading over time.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disperse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disperse. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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