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
Wanting to prove that the substance was a byproduct of disintegrating chloramines, Wahman looked for it in drinking water systems across the US that used the chemical and compared it with systems in Switzerland that didn’t.
—
Jen Christensen, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
Then, as my filet disintegrated on the journey between baking tray and plate, my suspicions were confirmed.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 4 Oct. 2024
The set is a welcome step up from the disintegrating nail file she's had for eons and the signature orange Hermès box is a serotonin boost in and of itself.
—Sarah Han and Annie Blackman, Allure, 14 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate 
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Jen Christensen, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
Then, as my filet disintegrated on the journey between baking tray and plate, my suspicions were confirmed.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 4 Oct. 2024
The set is a welcome step up from the disintegrating nail file she's had for eons and the signature orange Hermès box is a serotonin boost in and of itself.
—Sarah Han and Annie Blackman, Allure, 14 Sep. 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 17 Dec. 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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