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
After that group disintegrated, the pair linked up with the guitarist and drummer of another band, Mythology — Iommi and Bill Ward — in late 1968 and formed a sextet called the Polka Tulk Blues Band.
—
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2025
Substantial, but not so much so that the bun will disintegrate from rivers of juice.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 July 2025
The environment is disintegrating, the hour is late, and not much is being done.
—Sam Weller
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Both attempts in 2025, though, ended with the upper stage Starship spacecraft disintegrating after launch leaving trails of debris visible from South Florida and the Caribbean.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disintegrate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2025
Substantial, but not so much so that the bun will disintegrate from rivers of juice.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 July 2025
The environment is disintegrating, the hour is late, and not much is being done.
—Sam Weller
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Both attempts in 2025, though, ended with the upper stage Starship spacecraft disintegrating after launch leaving trails of debris visible from South Florida and the Caribbean.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 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 29 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share