dissolved; dissolving; dissolves
1
b
: to separate into component parts : disintegrate
dissolved the company into smaller units
c
: to bring to an end : terminate
the king's power to dissolve parliament
their partnership was dissolved
d
law
: annul
dissolve an injunction
the marriage was dissolved
2
a
chemistry
: to cause to pass into solution (see solution sense 2b)
dissolve sugar in water
dissolve a chlorine tablet
c
: to cause to be emotionally moved (see move entry 1 sense transitive 5a)
She was dissolved in tears.
d
: to cause to fade in or out in a dissolve (see dissolve entry 2)
4
: to clear up : to find a solution, explanation, or answer for
dissolve a problem
1
a
: to become dissipated (see dissipate sense 1) or decomposed
the mist … dissolved as it touched the valleys—
Han Suyin
Han Suyin
c
: to fade away
His strength had dissolved.
2
a
: to become fluid : melt
glaciers dissolving into the sea
b
chemistry
: to pass into solution
Salt dissolves in water.
c
: to be overcome emotionally
He dissolved into tears.
d
: to resolve itself as if by dissolution
hate dissolved into fear
e
: to change by a dissolve
The scene dissolves to a Victorian parlor.
dissolver
noun
: a gradual superimposing of one motion-picture or television shot upon another on a screen
Synonyms
Examples of dissolve in a Sentence
Verb
Dissolve the tablet in water.
Hopes for peace dissolved in renewed violence.
His kind words dissolved her sadness.
The treatment is used to dissolve kidney stones.
Recent Examples on the WebCatherine Santino, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
John Spahi has several years to dissolve any ownership stake at Ocean Towers and can never buy into the co-op again.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Said edits may or may not have been balked at, which may or may not have led to the relationship dissolving.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2024
Israeli officials have also publicly called for the group to be dissolved.
—Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
However, the Indiana Secretary of State dissolved Indy City Futbol as a limited liability corporation in August 2022 for what appears to be a failure to file annual reports.
—Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Move Forward’s current predicament has been likened to that of its predecessor, Future Forward Party, which was dissolved and whose key leaders were barred from political office for a decade.
—TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
Oh Joon, former South Korean ambassador to the United Nations, said in an interview that even though the panel is being dissolved, each member state will still be able to report violations to the Security Council because the U.N. sanctions remain in effect.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Identity Evropa dissolved in 2019; its leadership splintered to other white nationalist groups.
—Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 3 Apr. 2024
Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2024
Mix until the powder dissolves, and enjoy a restful sleep.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2024
Moisten a sponge with a diluted solution, rub until the sap dissolves, then thoroughly rinse until the water runs clear, a customer-service representative said.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
As humanity pumps carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, more of that gas dissolves in the ocean, which increases the acidity of the water.
—WIRED, 8 Nov. 2023
Those dissolves often seem to gloss over a not inconsiderable measure of intense suffering: backbreaking manual labor, beatings, possible torture.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
Given its two-game lead, Stanford is in solid position to win its 27th conference title before the Pac-12 dissolves as currently constructed.
—Jeff Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024
Drifting on the open seas, where the horizon between sky and ocean dissolves, the confines of everyday life fade away, revealing an extraordinary realm of inspiration and possibilities.
—John Hall, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
Stir the egg white mixture constantly until sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes glossy and opaque.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2024
Verb
Tallulah also opened up about her decision to dissolve her facial fillers.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
John Spahi has several years to dissolve any ownership stake at Ocean Towers and can never buy into the co-op again.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Said edits may or may not have been balked at, which may or may not have led to the relationship dissolving.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2024
Israeli officials have also publicly called for the group to be dissolved.
—Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
However, the Indiana Secretary of State dissolved Indy City Futbol as a limited liability corporation in August 2022 for what appears to be a failure to file annual reports.
—Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Move Forward’s current predicament has been likened to that of its predecessor, Future Forward Party, which was dissolved and whose key leaders were barred from political office for a decade.
—TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
Oh Joon, former South Korean ambassador to the United Nations, said in an interview that even though the panel is being dissolved, each member state will still be able to report violations to the Security Council because the U.N. sanctions remain in effect.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Identity Evropa dissolved in 2019; its leadership splintered to other white nationalist groups.
—Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2024
Mix until the powder dissolves, and enjoy a restful sleep.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2024
Moisten a sponge with a diluted solution, rub until the sap dissolves, then thoroughly rinse until the water runs clear, a customer-service representative said.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
As humanity pumps carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, more of that gas dissolves in the ocean, which increases the acidity of the water.
—WIRED, 8 Nov. 2023
Those dissolves often seem to gloss over a not inconsiderable measure of intense suffering: backbreaking manual labor, beatings, possible torture.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
Given its two-game lead, Stanford is in solid position to win its 27th conference title before the Pac-12 dissolves as currently constructed.
—Jeff Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024
Drifting on the open seas, where the horizon between sky and ocean dissolves, the confines of everyday life fade away, revealing an extraordinary realm of inspiration and possibilities.
—John Hall, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
Stir the egg white mixture constantly until sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes glossy and opaque.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissolve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Dissolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissolve. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
dissolved; dissolving
1
: to cause to pass into solution
dissolve sugar in water
2
: to cause to melt or liquefy
dissolver
noun
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