disintegrate

[dis-in-tuh-greyt] / dɪsˈɪn təˌgreɪt /

VERB

fall apart; reduce to pieces

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break down break up come apart crumble decay decompose degenerate descend disband dismantle rot sever shatter sink splinter wash out wither

STRONG

atomize decline deliquesce detach dilapidate disconnect disorganize disperse disunite divide molder pulverize putrefy separate spoil taint turn worsen

WEAK

break apart disimprove fade away fall to pieces take apart turn to dust wash away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build combine develop fix flourish grow improve increase join mend put together rise strengthen unite

STRONG

attach collect connect couple gather link

WEAK

meld

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When these shelves thin or disintegrate, that stabilizing effect disappears, allowing land ice to move more quickly into the ocean and raise global sea levels.

From Science Daily • Oct. 29, 2025

Were you to cook Swiss chard fully intact, without separating the stems and leaves, the leaf would disintegrate by the time the stems were tender.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

The area also symbolizes an inevitable truth about London: Without the thronging masses of tourists, and the attractions designed to amuse them, the city might disintegrate completely.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2025

With his hands dark black from the soot, he collects what he can, but many pieces disintegrate with his touch.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2025

“Your akrafena cannot disintegrate Bulgu,” Bulgu brags, advancing toward me once more.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

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