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
The inherent difficulty of finding submarines in the open ocean, bombers dispersed and airborne, and road-mobile missile launchers on the move ensures the survivability of a greater proportion of the force.
—
Andrew S. Lim, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
But this year, Veach says, is different from others in the way the draft’s talent is dispersed.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Its more than $50 million budget was largely dispersed through grants to organizations to identify and combat disinformation from foreign adversaries.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
After the Merci Train touched down on American soil, the boxcars were dispersed to states throughout the nation.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Andrew S. Lim, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
But this year, Veach says, is different from others in the way the draft’s talent is dispersed.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Its more than $50 million budget was largely dispersed through grants to organizations to identify and combat disinformation from foreign adversaries.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
After the Merci Train touched down on American soil, the boxcars were dispersed to states throughout the nation.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disperse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disperse
Verb
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Aaronson has left everything on the pitch to get the team promoted, but question marks about his end product in the Championship are hardly going to dissipate in the Premier League.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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So while The Clayton might be tough to find at first, the rest of your tenure will be as effortless and carefree as lingering cigar smoke dissipating in the air.—
William Goodman,
Robb Report,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Campgrounds and rental cabins are scattered along the shore, and in the summer, roadside stands sell fresh cherries, plums, and other fruit.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
21 Apr. 2025
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Best Places to Stay Along with lodgings inside and outside its perimeter, Olympic National Park has 14 campgrounds scattered around the park.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Decades after disbanding, the band still maintains a constant presence across a number of rankings, kept afloat by unwavering fan support and a discography that seems unbeatable.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Hong Kong: Members of the opposition Democratic Party voted to disband, one more casualty of Beijing’s suppression campaign.—
Justin Porter,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Remove yourself from the critical path, and the fear disappears.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Some bumblebee populations have been disappearing from the southern parts of their geographic range and have been found in cooler regions to the north and in more mountainous areas.—
Courtney McGinnis,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the past few years, Kody’s relationships with Christine, Janelle, 55, and Meri, 54, have dissolved, leading to estrangement between the former polygamist and many of his kids.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
2 May 2025
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Leigh’s treatment of the masquerade likewise dissolves distinctions between subject and object: An encrusted head sans face atop a raffia dome functions neither as a fully articulated human form nor as an abstract sculpture.—
Delinda Collier,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Verb
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First, there was a drip-drip-drip of crisis: as costs everywhere rose, city, state, and federal monies faded away once COVID-era bailout efforts came to an end.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2025
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But when a new Supreme rises, the old one fades away.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disperse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disperse. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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