WordGarden.iodisintegrate
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˌɪsˈɪntɪɡrˌeɪt/
US
- /dɪˈsɪntəˌɡreɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to break apart into small pieces
to fail or lose coherence completely
to decay into smaller particles or radiation
Beyond the definition
Imagine a sandcastle slowly crumbling as the waves wash over it—that's disintegration in action! To disintegrate means to break down into smaller parts, often gradually. Things can literally disintegrate, like an old building falling into ruins, or figuratively, like a plan falling apart when things go wrong. A detective might investigate how physical evidence disintegrated over time, and a person might feel as though their world has disintegrated after a major life upheaval.
Disintegration isn't always about destruction; sometimes it's a natural process. Leaves disintegrate into compost, eventually enriching the soil. However, it often implies a loss of unity or stability. Think of a political alliance that disintegrates under pressure, or a heated argument that breaks down into shouting.
To disintegrate means to break something down into smaller parts, causing it to lose its original form and coherence. It often describes a physical process—like a rock eroding over centuries or an ancient document decaying with age: "The fragile papyrus began to disintegrate at the slightest touch."
However, disintegration is frequently used figuratively to describe abstract things that collapse. A carefully constructed business plan might disintegrate when faced with unexpected market shifts. A relationship can disintegrate due to a lack of communication, and a legal case might disintegrate if the witnesses prove unreliable. In these instances, the word suggests a gradual but total breakdown of structure or unity.
The term carries a weightier sense of loss than simply saying something "breaks." It suggests a more complete and often irreversible process where the "whole" ceases to exist.
In scientific contexts, you will encounter "disintegration" referring to the breakdown of atomic nuclei (radioactive disintegration) or the biological decomposition of organic matter. In psychology, it may describe the fragmentation of a person's mental state or personality structure. Whether you are witnessing the crumbling of stone, the collapse of a regime, or the unraveling of a friendship, disintegrate perfectly captures the process of losing form, unity, and identity.
Examples
- 1
Physical decay
The old photograph began to disintegrate at the edges.
- 2
Marriage
After months of arguments, their marriage slowly disintegrated.
- 3
Project failure
When the funding was cut, the whole project started to disintegrate.
- 4
Meeting chaos
As soon as the announcement was made, the meeting disintegrated into shouting.
- Patterndisintegrate into + worse state
break down and turn into something worse or more chaotic
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Confidence
His confidence seemed to disintegrate the moment he stepped onto the stage.
See also
Similar
- crumble
- fall apart
- break up
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- disintegrate into dust
- disintegrate into fragments
- disintegrate on impact
- slowly disintegrate
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- disintegrateverb
Forms
- disintegratedpast tenseverb
- disintegrating-ing formverb
- disintegratesverb