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
The relationship with William and Kate had already disintegrated, as well as with a number of the staff at Kensington Palace, and tensions with media had been in overdrive.
—
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
Patrick Wisdom hit 76 homers as the starter most of the time the previous three years, but in 2024 all but disintegrated at the plate.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
The Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, ending any military threat to NATO members, which then numbered 16.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 12 Dec. 2024
And eventually the cell just disintegrates and gets eaten by circulating phagocytes.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate 
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.
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
Patrick Wisdom hit 76 homers as the starter most of the time the previous three years, but in 2024 all but disintegrated at the plate.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
The Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, ending any military threat to NATO members, which then numbered 16.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 12 Dec. 2024
And eventually the cell just disintegrates and gets eaten by circulating phagocytes.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Dec. 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 2 Jan. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share