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