it dematerialized like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it dematerialized like" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that disappears or becomes intangible in a manner similar to another object or concept. Example: "As the magician waved his wand, the rabbit dematerialized like smoke in the wind."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In an attempt to escape, the Doctor and Avery board the TARDIS, but find it is acting haphazardly, and are forced to evacuate, and they watch as it dematerializes by itself.

Wikipedia

This paper argues that unlike the AACR, FRBR lays bare its own ideological underpinnings, and in so doing, it dematerializes the text and mystifies the creative process.

Johns Hopkins University

But the vanity of Iñárritu's style, its conspicuous striving after effect, achieves the opposite result — it dematerializes the production and disembodies the performances, calls attention not to the rigors of the shoot but to the extraordinary care and handling, the extraordinary industrial equipment, that went into maintaining the actors and their well-being in inhospitable conditions.

The New Yorker

"He said, 'Watch the coin,' and it started to develop a silver color instead of copper, and then the silver became bluish and the penny was getting quite fuzzy, out of focus, blurred, and then it simply was gone -- it slowly dematerialized".

Huffington Post

In fact, the drill has been used so extensively that it almost dematerializes the vault, I think, in a very interesting way, creating a kind of overall tapestry of dark and light.

Yale University

Opposed to the "elite" concept of art as collectible object, they "dematerialized" it by making language a part of its formal content.

The New York Times - Magazine

The movie is dematerialized; it never conveys the sense that "this happened" or "this is happening," but, rather, that "this sort of thing happened".

The New Yorker

Still, the sign is visually stunning, like an IMAX screen in the middle of a Manhattan street, and it all but dematerializes the façade, turning it from an object of glass and metal into a cavalcade of constantly changing colors and shapes.

The New Yorker

It is a relatively slender shaft that dematerializes as it rises skyward into an angular, open latticework whose shape is meant in part to echo and complement the skyline presence of the Statue of Liberty.

The New York Times

It consisted of Klein's paintings whirling & being "dematerialized" by Tinguely motors.

The New Yorker

It likes it".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it dematerialized like", ensure that the comparison is clear and adds vividness to the description. For instance, "it dematerialized like a hologram switching off" provides a more specific image than simply "it dematerialized like magic".

Common error

Avoid using "it dematerialized like" in everyday situations where simpler words like "disappeared" or "vanished" would suffice. Overusing "dematerialized" can make your writing sound pretentious or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it dematerialized like" functions as a descriptive clause, using the verb "dematerialized" to depict a specific type of disappearance, and "like" to draw a comparison. Although Ludwig shows a lack of examples for the exact phrase, the individual components are well-established in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it dematerialized like" is a grammatically correct way to describe a disappearance, especially one that suggests a transformation to a non-material state. While the exact phrase is uncommon and lacks examples according to Ludwig, the individual components are well understood. When employing this phrase, ensure the comparison following "like" is vivid and adds clarity. Consider alternatives such as "it vanished as if" or "it disappeared like" for broader applicability. The phrase may appear in science fiction or fantasy contexts. It's essential to avoid overusing "dematerialized" in casual contexts where simpler terms would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it disappeared like

Replaces "dematerialized" with "disappeared" for a more straightforward description of vanishing.

it vanished as if

Replaces "dematerialized" with "vanished" and uses "as if" for comparison, focusing on sudden disappearance.

it dissolved like

Emphasizes a gradual disappearance, as if the object broke down into smaller parts.

it faded away like

Suggests a slow and gentle disappearance, often used for things that lose visibility or intensity.

it evaporated like

Implies a transformation from a liquid or solid state into a gaseous state, resulting in disappearance.

it was gone, just like

Focuses on the sudden absence of something, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the disappearance.

it dissipated as

Highlights the scattering or spreading out of something until it is no longer visible.

it morphed away like

Suggests a transformation into something else while disappearing, adding a layer of change.

it blinked out of existence like

Uses a more dramatic and instantaneous image of disappearing, as if switching off a light.

it ceased to exist like

Emphasizes the complete termination of something's existence, making it a stronger and more definitive statement.

FAQs

How can I use "it dematerialized like" in a sentence?

Use "it dematerialized like" to describe something disappearing suddenly or becoming intangible in a way that resembles something else. For example, "The image on the screen wavered, then "it dematerialized like" a dream fading upon waking".

What can I say instead of "it dematerialized like"?

You can use alternatives like "it vanished as if", "it disappeared like", or "it dissolved like" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "it dematerialized like" or "it vanished like"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "it vanished like" is more common and generally appropriate for most situations. ""it dematerialized like"" carries a more technical or science-fiction connotation.

What's the difference between "it dematerialized like" and "it disappeared as if"?

""it dematerialized like"" implies a process of becoming non-material, often associated with advanced technology or supernatural phenomena. "it disappeared as if" is a broader term for something vanishing from sight, without necessarily suggesting a change in its physical nature.