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.

Language is malleable, but it has to retain some meaning, or the boundaries of our society will disintegrate more than they already have.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

The skins contain natural oils, and garments not kept in a temperature-controlled environment -- ideally off-season in cold vaults -- can dry out and disintegrate.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Jolly has been carrying out tests on the banks of the River Yare to see how quickly the plastic-free wipes disintegrate.

From BBC • Nov. 17, 2025

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

Theodor, in a series of elegant experiments, has shown that when two individuals of the same species are placed in close contact, the smaller of the two will always begin to disintegrate.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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