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
Mohammadi works with materials that disintegrate, for instance halva, soap, letting their ephemerality echo the fragility of memory.
—
Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Toward the end of the movie, Bob’s house of shame disintegrates.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
In addition to an intensive formula that disintegrates hair in less than 10 minutes, this custardy cream comes in three different scent profiles that smell more like a sweet treat than a hair removal product.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 May 2025
The disintegrating aluminum body of a reentering satellite melts, forming large droplets of molten metal.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
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Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Toward the end of the movie, Bob’s house of shame disintegrates.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
In addition to an intensive formula that disintegrates hair in less than 10 minutes, this custardy cream comes in three different scent profiles that smell more like a sweet treat than a hair removal product.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 May 2025
The disintegrating aluminum body of a reentering satellite melts, forming large droplets of molten metal.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 5 May 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 1 Jun. 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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