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
Other groups disintegrated amid more prosaic conflicts over priorities and egos.
—
Charles Homans, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
The rocket system's upper stage appears to have disintegrated somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico or possibly the Caribbean Sea.
—Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
The SpaceX vehicle disintegrated partway through the seventh uncrewed test flight of the rocket system — about 10 minutes into a mission that launched out of South Texas.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
This time, the ship disintegrated and reentered the atmosphere at dusk, with impeccable lighting conditions accentuating the debris cloud's appearance.
—Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for disintegrate 
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Charles Homans, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
The rocket system's upper stage appears to have disintegrated somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico or possibly the Caribbean Sea.
—Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
The SpaceX vehicle disintegrated partway through the seventh uncrewed test flight of the rocket system — about 10 minutes into a mission that launched out of South Texas.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
This time, the ship disintegrated and reentered the atmosphere at dusk, with impeccable lighting conditions accentuating the debris cloud's appearance.
—Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025
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 30 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
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