disperse
32 synonyms and 3 antonyms for disperse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To scatter or spread out in different directions.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use disperse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
disperse a crowd
disperse quickly
widely dispersed
Etymology
From Latin dispergere, "to scatter about" — from dis- ("apart") + spargere ("to scatter"), the same root as "sparse".
Full origin of disperse →Frequently asked questions
What does “disperse” mean?
The word “disperse” means to scatter or spread out in different directions. In plain terms, to scatter or spread out, rather than stay grouped together.
How do you pronounce “disperse”?
“Disperse” is pronounced dih-SPURS (/dɪˈspɝs/ in IPA).
How do you use “disperse” in a sentence?
Here is “disperse” used in a sentence: “The crowd began to disperse once the concert ended.”
What is another word for “disperse”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disperse” include besprenge, broadcast, desparple, discuss, disgregate and disparkle.
What is the opposite of “disperse”?
The opposite of “disperse” — its antonyms — are assemble, collect and round up.
What part of speech is “disperse”?
“Disperse” is a verb.
Where does the word “disperse” come from?
The word “disperse” comes from Latin. From Latin dispergere, "to scatter about" — from dis- ("apart") + spargere ("to scatter"), the same root as "sparse".
Is “disperse” a common word?
“Disperse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
