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
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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
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Recent Examples of disperse
Council was in the dark Centralina is one of 16 regional councils of government in the state that assist with dispersing federal and state money into communities for economic development, social services and other community needs.
—
Dan Kane
january 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
The lion had been seen traversing the city since at least Sunday and probably got lost while dispersing from its mother, the agency said.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some officers then deployed pepper balls, dispersing the crowd.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
And while most have been peaceful, there has been tear gas and pepper spray deployed to disperse these crowds.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Dan Kane
january 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
The lion had been seen traversing the city since at least Sunday and probably got lost while dispersing from its mother, the agency said.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some officers then deployed pepper balls, dispersing the crowd.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
And while most have been peaceful, there has been tear gas and pepper spray deployed to disperse these crowds.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disperse
Verb
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The Knox’s were detained after the brawl at the high school dissipated last year.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The bloom only dissipated after heavy snowfall finally blocked enough light from reaching it beneath the ice.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After last year’s Eaton fire tore through town, incinerating community infrastructure and scattering residents across the region, the importance of such places has grown dramatically — not only as centers of gathering, but as sites of refuge, planning and healing.—
Sam Lubell,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Not long after the stars scattered once the photo was done, Ejae, Nuna and Ami could be found huddled in a circle on the ground.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Relations between the three soured in 2021 and following Rooney’s DUI arrest that September, the group quietly disbanded.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
24 Jan. 2026
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After the war, these programs were largely disbanded.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos said other issues remain to be resolved between the two countries, including the fate of Lebanese believed to have been disappeared into Syrian prisons during Assad's rule and the demarcation of the border between the two countries.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
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Three women, all with babies in their arms, find seats at a second common table in the backyard garden, joining others who’ve disappeared into laptop-headphones concentration mode.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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First, soak the tablet in the bowl of water to dissolve the coating, but not so long that the tablet crumbles apart.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
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Once activated with water, rice powder and rice extract gently buff away dullness, while papaya enzymes dissolve dead skin cells without any harsh scrubbing.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The designer honors his Azerbaijani heritage, working with artisans from across Azerbaijan and Georgia to create rich, unique textures, while helping to support rural communities and preserve fading artisanal skills.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
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Other factors for the warmer spring include a fading La Niña, a weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean that can bring cool temperatures to the United States.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disperse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disperse. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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