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
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
In the Parsi tradition, the bones are left there to gradually disintegrate over time, completing the return to nature without defiling the earth.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The premier Copley Cup — which for decades drew the nation’s elite men’s varsity eights for an early-season east/west showdown – has disintegrated into an alumni race.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
Marvel at the firework display of disintegrating foes; revel in your might as a pair of badass demon slayers.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
The response in Europe to this whirlwind has been a combination of panic and confusion, as European parties from the left to the center right come to grips with the fact that the Atlantic alliance could be in the process of disintegrating.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The premier Copley Cup — which for decades drew the nation’s elite men’s varsity eights for an early-season east/west showdown – has disintegrated into an alumni race.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
Marvel at the firework display of disintegrating foes; revel in your might as a pair of badass demon slayers.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
The response in Europe to this whirlwind has been a combination of panic and confusion, as European parties from the left to the center right come to grips with the fact that the Atlantic alliance could be in the process of disintegrating.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Cite this Entry
“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegrate. Accessed 14 Apr. 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
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