Disintegrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Disintegrate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of something breaking apart or falling to pieces, often used in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "The old building began to disintegrate after years of neglect, with bricks crumbling and walls collapsing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As Curtis's career progressed, his marriage to Leigh – who had sacrificed her work for him and their children, Jamie Lee and Kelly – began to disintegrate.

The Guardian - Film

Simmer for four hours, until the kernels are tender and starting to disintegrate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The bones, being subject to air, water and heat, get completely dried and disintegrate.

The Guardian

Fatigue cracks are what caused three De Havilland Comets, the world's first passenger jets, to disintegrate catastrophically during flight.

The Economist

Mr Campbell was always unlikely to disintegrate under the questioning of the inquiry panel, and he hasn't.

The Economist

Indonesian leaders and others made money there, but the military's dogged reluctance to cede the territory also reflected a fear that Indonesia could disintegrate: if East Timor left, other islands and territories which have been part of Indonesia far longer might seek independence, too.By Eric S. Margolis.

The Economist

In the aftermath of such a rout, some Labour supporters fear, the party may disintegrate, with a revived Old Labour faction, wedded to the ideals of punitive taxation and a monolithic state, reasserting its anachronistic grip.Mr Brown, in the libraryBut if the demise is plain enough, the explanation is less so.

The Economist

If his party fails at least to displace the PRI as the largest party, then Mr Fox risks becoming a lame duck half-way through his term, and Mexico will have squandered an opportunity for change.Three years ago, the PRI was dismissed by many pundits as a party of "dinosaurs" that would quickly disintegrate without the glue of executive power.

The Economist

It is a measure of the failure of Russia's rulers that the almost nostalgic verdict, both at home and abroad, on the past eight months is that Russia did not disintegrate, starve, freeze, hyperinflate or descend into anarchy.

The Economist

If the rebels attacked together, Mr Taylor's unpaid, barely-trained army of drug-high war orphans would surely disintegrate.

The Economist

Alexander Downer, Australia's foreign minister, has worried aloud that Indonesia could disintegrate into a "bloodbath" if it seceded.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disintegrate" when you want to emphasize a complete breakdown or loss of structural integrity, whether physical or metaphorical. Consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the extent of the breakdown.

Common error

Avoid using "disintegrate" in casual conversation or informal writing when simpler words like "fall apart" or "break down" would suffice. "Disintegrate" carries a more formal and often dramatic connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disintegrate" is as an intransitive verb, describing an action performed by a subject. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. For example, "The old building began to disintegrate after years of neglect."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Disintegrate" functions as a verb that vividly depicts the process of something breaking apart or losing integrity, both in physical and abstract contexts. Ludwig AI affirms that it is correct and commonly used. The prevalence of examples from news and media sources shows its role in describing everything from decaying structures to crumbling political systems. While grammatically sound, "disintegrate" carries a formal connotation, making it less suitable for casual use, which can be improved using alternative terms such as "fall apart" or "break down".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disintegrate into

Specifies what the subject breaks down into.

Fall apart

Emphasizes the process of something breaking down into pieces, often gradually.

Break up

Focuses on separation into smaller components or fragments.

Crumble

Suggests a gradual decay and reduction to small particles.

Decompose

Implies a natural process of decay, often used in biological contexts.

Dissolve

Describes the process of something breaking down into a liquid or becoming incorporated into a solution.

Break down

Highlights the failure of something to function or maintain its structure.

Fall to pieces

Similar to "fall apart", but often implies a more sudden or dramatic collapse.

Come apart

Focuses on the separation of components that were previously joined.

Decay

Suggests a gradual decline in quality, strength, or vitality.

FAQs

How is "disintegrate" typically used in a sentence?

The verb "disintegrate" is used to describe the process of something breaking apart or falling to pieces. For example, "The old building began to disintegrate after years of neglect." It can be used both literally and metaphorically.

What are some alternatives to using "disintegrate"?

You can use alternatives like "fall apart", "break up", "crumble", or "decompose" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "disintegrate" in both physical and abstract contexts?

Yes, "disintegrate" can be used in both physical and abstract contexts. For example, you can say "The old book started to physically disintegrate" or "Their relationship began to disintegrate after the argument".

What's the difference between "disintegrate" and "dissolve"?

"Disintegrate" generally implies a breaking apart into fragments, while "dissolve" refers to something becoming incorporated into a liquid or fading away. So while both can be processes of something ceasing to exist, they focus on different ways of disappearing.