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 latest observations of the comet suggest the object, made of ancient rock, frozen gases and dust, has disintegrated on its way to a close approach of the sun, which was anticipated to occur on May 1.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
Mike White slickly disintegrates American family and friend relations — using flashy prurience but no analysis.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
As Hoffs became more of the focal point of the band and relationships disintegrated, The Bangles disbanded after their 1989 Everything Everywhere tour.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Over millennia, the posts disintegrated, but researchers found traces of them in the ground.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
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Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
Mike White slickly disintegrates American family and friend relations — using flashy prurience but no analysis.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
As Hoffs became more of the focal point of the band and relationships disintegrated, The Bangles disbanded after their 1989 Everything Everywhere tour.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Over millennia, the posts disintegrated, but researchers found traces of them in the ground.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 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 23 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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