verb
disintegrate
dihs-IHN-tihg-rayt
Disintegrate (verb) means to break apart into pieces, or to fall apart completely. Example: “The old newspaper began to disintegrate the moment she touched it.”
verb
1
To break apart into pieces, or to fall apart completely.
"When people can no longer disagree intelligibly, a society disintegrates; where they need interpreters, they cannot either unite or emerge from conflict into unbelittling compromise."
— Frederic Raphael, The necessity of anti-semitism (1997)
"The old newspaper began to disintegrate the moment she touched it."
"Their friendship slowly disintegrated after the argument."
How to use disintegrate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo fall to pieces, whether literally (an object) or figuratively (a relationship, a plan, a system).
Common pairings
disintegrate into pieces
begin to disintegrate
completely disintegrate
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- disintegrates
- Past tense
- disintegrated
Fill the gap
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The old newspaper began to _____ the moment she touched it.
Etymology
Recorded in English since around 1785, formed from dis- + integrate — the opposite of making something whole.
Related words
Rhymes for disintegrate
See all rhymes for disintegrate →Frequently asked questions
What does “disintegrate” mean?
The word “disintegrate” means to break apart into pieces, or to fall apart completely. In plain terms, to fall to pieces, whether literally (an object) or figuratively (a relationship, a plan, a system).
How do you pronounce “disintegrate”?
“Disintegrate” is pronounced dihs-IHN-tihg-rayt (/dɪsˈɪntɪɡɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “disintegrate” in a sentence?
Here is “disintegrate” used in a sentence: “The old newspaper began to disintegrate the moment she touched it.”
What is another word for “disintegrate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disintegrate” include dismember, dissolve, decay and compost.
What is the opposite of “disintegrate”?
The opposite of “disintegrate” — its antonyms — is integrate.
What part of speech is “disintegrate”?
“Disintegrate” is a verb.
Where does the word “disintegrate” come from?
The word “disintegrate” dates back to around 1785. Recorded in English since around 1785, formed from dis- + integrate — the opposite of making something whole.
