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 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
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
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate 
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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
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
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 24 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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