disintegrate
verb
dis·in·te·grate
(ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrāt 
disintegrated; disintegrating; disintegrates
1
: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles
water disintegrates the limestone
2
: to destroy the unity or integrity (see integrity sense 3) of
The lies disintegrated their marriage.
1
: to break or separate into constituent elements or parts
The iron hinges were disintegrating into dust.
2
: to lose unity or integrity by or as if by breaking into parts
The relationship started to disintegrate.
3
: to undergo a change in composition (see composition sense 2)
an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
Synonyms
Examples of disintegrate in a Sentence
The paper will disintegrate if it gets wet.
The laser can disintegrate most kinds of rock.
Recent Examples on the Web
This keeps the goat cheese from muddying the salad and the orange segments from disintegrating, creating a clean-looking, beautifully colorful salad.
—
Julia Levy, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
Plastics that have leaked into the environment eventually disintegrate into tiny pieces of plastic measuring five millimeters or less.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024
Many of these works have disintegrated or have been lost, with only documentary photographs remaining.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Lewis Howes recalled afterward that he was washed overboard, but for the rest of us, the boat simply disintegrated beneath our feet.
—Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate 
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Julia Levy, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
Plastics that have leaked into the environment eventually disintegrate into tiny pieces of plastic measuring five millimeters or less.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024
Many of these works have disintegrated or have been lost, with only documentary photographs remaining.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Lewis Howes recalled afterward that he was washed overboard, but for the rest of us, the boat simply disintegrated beneath our feet.
—Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate
Dictionary Entries Near disintegrate
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegrate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disintegrate
verb
dis·in·te·grate
(ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt
1
: to break or decompose into the elements, parts, or small particles making up something
2
: to go through a change in composition
an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
Medical Definition
disintegrate
verb
dis·in·te·grate
(ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt
disintegrated; disintegrating
: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles
1
: to break or separate into constituent elements or parts
2
: to undergo a change in composition
an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
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