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
The second phase was meant to pave the way to an end to the war, although the truce disintegrated when Israeli forces resumed airstrikes on Gaza.
—
Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025
The piece was about the cycle of life—the apple would rot and eventually disintegrate.
—David Sheff, ARTnews.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Flaming debris from the disintegrating Starship was could be seen across the East Coast and into the Caribbean, with videos capturing the scene in the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, and Florida as well.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
Idit Ohel, the mother of Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, urgently pleaded for President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of the remaining Oct. 7 captives held by Hamas amid fears the current ceasefire deal is disintegrating.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
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Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025
The piece was about the cycle of life—the apple would rot and eventually disintegrate.
—David Sheff, ARTnews.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Flaming debris from the disintegrating Starship was could be seen across the East Coast and into the Caribbean, with videos capturing the scene in the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, and Florida as well.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
Idit Ohel, the mother of Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, urgently pleaded for President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of the remaining Oct. 7 captives held by Hamas amid fears the current ceasefire deal is disintegrating.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 12 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 31 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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