disintegrates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disintegrates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that breaks apart or falls apart into smaller pieces, often in a gradual manner. Example: "Over time, the old building disintegrates, leaving only rubble behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So he sets up an achingly serious Broadway play to showcase his alleged talents, which disintegrates in rehearsal as the first night approaches, along with his family life and emotional and psychological stability.

The Guardian - Film

As, moment by moment, inch by inch, Murielle works all of this out, her own sense of self disintegrates and she collapses into madness.

The Guardian - Film

It is a lesson we should bear in mind as Syria disintegrates before our eyes, and as the battle rages over which side used chemical weapons in Khan al-Assal.

The Guardian - Opinion

His "b" disintegrates.

The Guardian - Sport

As the new presidential team regrouped the country into seven "super-regions" with Kremlin loyalists in charge, they seemed confident of solving the abiding problem of Russia's rulers: how to assert federal control in a sprawling land where power disintegrates unless actively husbanded.

The Economist

And as small-scale Mexican agriculture disintegrates, partly because of competition under NAFTA from huge American farms, millions are finding a precarious urban life better than a rural one with no money at all.Not everywhere is overrun by maquiladoras.

The Economist

Even if a new element does form, it often disintegrates almost instantly.The LBNL physicists thought they had caught a fleeting glimpse of element 118 because their detectors had picked up a tell-tale chain of six "alpha decays" occurring within one second.

The Economist

Supplying light weapons to some Syrian rebel groups is unlikely to decisively shift the balance of power in the war, and may simply prolong the stalemate while Syria disintegrates and civilians are slaughtered.Mr Malley warns that the Syrian civil war has been increasingly incorporated into the broader Sunni-Shiite sectarian clash, in which America must not be seen to take sides.

The Economist

His "Poème Symphonique" calls for 100 metronomes whose unified beat inexorably disintegrates into tick-tocking chaos.Mr Ligeti's ingenious, protean muse has been attracting enthusiastic crowds of all ages to the Clocks and Clouds series, whose latest instalment began in London last month and will visit Frankfurt, Bremen, Brussels and Paris between March 23rd and 27th.

The Economist

If cracks open up or the pitch disintegrates to the extent that the ball starts to break through the surface and bounce in unexpected ways, batting can be a lottery.Once it was rare for teams to ignore Mr Chappell's advice.

The Economist

Whether the country continues as an authoritarian colossus, stagnates, disintegrates, or, as we would wish, becomes both freer and more prosperous will not just determine China's future, but shape the rest of the world's too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disintegrates" when you want to convey a sense of something breaking apart into smaller pieces or losing its structure completely. It can be used both literally and figuratively.

Common error

Avoid using "disintegrates" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler words like "falls apart" or "breaks down" would be more appropriate. "Disintegrates" can sound overly dramatic or formal in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disintegrates" is as an intransitive verb, describing an action performed by the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to indicate a process of breaking apart or decomposing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disintegrates" is a versatile and frequently used verb that describes the process of something breaking apart or losing its structure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "falls apart" in informal settings. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for many situations, conveying a sense of decay, decline, or breakdown, whether physical or abstract.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falls apart

Suggests a less abrupt or forceful breakdown than "disintegrates".

breaks down

Implies a more gradual and potentially reversible process of decomposition.

crumbles

Specifically refers to something turning into small fragments or dust.

decays

Indicates a natural process of rotting or decline, often in organic matter.

decomposes

Similar to "decays", but often used in a more scientific or technical context.

collapses

Suggests a sudden and complete failure of structure or integrity.

dissolves

Refers to a substance being broken down into a liquid.

evaporates

Implies a change of state from liquid to gas, often suggesting disappearance.

vanishes

Indicates a sudden and complete disappearance.

erodes

Suggests a gradual wearing away, often by natural forces.

FAQs

How to use "disintegrates" in a sentence?

The word "disintegrates" is used to describe something that breaks apart or loses its structure. For instance, "The old building "falls apart", leaving only rubble behind" or "The actor's mental state "deteriorates" in the film".

What can I say instead of "disintegrates"?

You can use alternatives like ""falls apart"", "breaks down", or "crumbles" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "disintegrates" or "deteriorates"?

While both words imply a decline, "disintegrates" suggests a physical breaking apart or loss of structure, whereas ""deteriorates"" implies a decline in quality or condition.

What's the difference between "disintegrates" and "dissolves"?

"Disintegrates" implies a breaking apart into smaller pieces, whereas "dissolves" means to become incorporated into a liquid, effectively disappearing within it.