dissipation

noun

ˌdi-sə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce dissipation (audio)
Definition of dissipationnext
1
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior the wasting of a once promising life in dissipation and drunkenness

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2
as in dispersion
an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered the dissipation of the clouds by the early morning winds

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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 dissipation Heat dissipation Shedding waste heat is a significant problem—and probably the biggest challenge in orbit. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026 In addition to potentially offering low-cost, low-dissipation computing, thermodynamic computing might also offer insights into the way natural complex systems work. — Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026 And why not take the path of reconciliation rather than the drama, the needless drama of further disunion, and dissipation and violence perhaps? — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 5 July 2026 Allowing airflow to pass through the structure increases heat dissipation by 91% and lowers surface temperatures by 10%, so performance isn't compromised. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissipation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissipation
  1. degradation
  2. dispersion
  3. corruption
  4. dispersal
  5. scattering
Noun
  • The engine manufacturer conducted post-test inspections after the evaluation and found no evidence of degradation.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • For example, the company traced the helium leaks to valve problems — specifically, degradation that occurred after exposure to nitrogen tetroxide, the oxidizer in Starliner's propulsion system.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • The initiative will bring together computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with digital twins to rapidly model ammonia dispersion following a leak.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In turn, yields in the credit market are also climbing, and dispersion is broadening.
    — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of dispersion
Noun
  • East of Eden is a tome obsessed with guilt, sin, ambition, race, the land as healing and capitalism as putrefying, the nature of fate and the question of free will, and the role money and inheritance play in either our corruption or our cleansing.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Brown, who served as the union’s chief of staff and as special assistant to ex-International President Newton Jones, is the first of eight former Boilermakers to be sentenced in the federal corruption case.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • The team then used the ridges and scarps in regions less affected by the dispersal of debris to estimate the amount of contraction.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Arson was reportedly among the cruel methods of dispersal, though the officers’ crimes were denied and ignored by the State.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of dispersal
Noun
  • This scattering also polarizes the light; the amount of polarization seen depends on the incoming light’s angle with respect to the observer.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This scattering of light and even electromagnetic radiation by particles that are smaller than the wavelength of the radiation opens up the possibility of signals reaching the receiver, even when the transmitter is not in line-of-sight.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of scattering

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dissipation
dissipations
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Cite this Entry

“Dissipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissipation. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dissipation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dissipation

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