dissipate 1 of 2

dissipate

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dissipate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dissipate are dispel, disperse, and scatter. While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

When could dispel be used to replace dissipate?

In some situations, the words dispel and dissipate are roughly equivalent. However, dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

When might disperse be a better fit than dissipate?

The synonyms disperse and dissipate are sometimes interchangeable, but disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

When can scatter be used instead of dissipate?

While the synonyms scatter and dissipate are close in meaning, scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

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 dissipate
Noun
Stigma surrounding eschewing brand names in favor of lower-cost options has all but dissipated. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025 Every day that passes without a new hiccup in credit land allows the anxiety over private credit and small-bank exposures to off-balance-sheet lending structures to dissipate a bit. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025 What the pair conceals might amplify the electricity between them—or provide cover if the charge dissipates. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025 On the forecast track, Priscilla is expected to remain offshore of the coast of Baja California Sur before dissipating. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dissipate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissipate
Verb
  • In the clip, each member of the cast can be seen rallying together to put an end to things, before dispersing across their homes, school, hospital, and elsewhere to make quick work in hopes of surviving.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Reuters — Police in Tanzania fired tear gas and gunshots on Thursday to disperse groups of protesters who returned to the streets a day after a general election marred by violent demonstrations, witnesses said.
    Reuters 10 hr ago, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The subject never came up again, and the family spent the rest of the week as if nothing had happened.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Pooro manages to escape and finds her way home to her parents, who disown her for having spent a fortnight with a Muslim.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Aside from weightless words, Hardwich notes that the worst thing about dating in 2025 is how common ghosting has become, with men showing interest only to disappear without warning.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Save screenshots, links and dates before the content disappears.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Show me exactly how to reorganize my day to focus on growth drivers first, which of my tasks are secretly time-wasters dressed as important work, and how to say no to everything else.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For example, default settings for focus time added blocking of sites in the categories Shopping, Tabloids, and Time wasters.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Tamra’s hanging in Big Bear, Jenn is planning a wedding, and Heather lost $6 million on a house.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Others have turned toward the distant past to understand what has been lost and assess what can be recovered.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Empty water and add the sugar and coffee to the glass, then stir to dissolve sugar.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
  • That first night alone in the house was, for Gene, wherever his dissolving presence had placed him, and the two dogs, an unimaginable one, but outside it was beautiful, with a full moon, a snow moon.
    Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When measured by budget deficit – the gap between government spending and revenue – France is also among the most spendthrift in the European Union, according to Eurostat, the bloc’s statistics office.
    Ana Nicolaci da Costa, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Their spending habits were that of a spendthrift, and there was only one parent really making any income.
    R29 Team, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Trail Blazers faded in the fourth quarter en route to a 118-114 loss to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dissipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissipate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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