disintegrate

verb

dis·​in·​te·​grate (ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrāt How to pronounce disintegrate (audio)
disintegrated; disintegrating; disintegrates

transitive verb

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.

intransitive verb

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
disintegrative adjective
disintegrator noun

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
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.
Players like Bobby Bonilla, George Foster, Vince Coleman, Jason Bay, Justin Verlander, Kaz Matsui, and others, came to Queens with high hopes that eventually disintegrated. Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025 The top courses of the concrete block had disintegrated, and were nothing more than sand and small stones. Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025 The Kings couldn’t hide their disappointment after a late fourth-quarter lead disintegrated into an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 10 Mar. 2025 Zodiac Killer Project Director: Charlie Shackleton United States, United Kingdom, 2025 When a passion project completely disintegrates, most filmmakers give up, move on and mourn their masterpiece that got away. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disintegrate

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disintegrate was in 1796

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegrate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

disintegrate

verb
dis·​in·​te·​grate (ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt How to pronounce disintegrate (audio)
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
disintegrator noun

Medical Definition

disintegrate

verb
dis·​in·​te·​grate (ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt How to pronounce disintegrate (audio)
disintegrated; disintegrating

transitive verb

: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles

intransitive verb

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
disintegration noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disintegrate

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