dematerialization
Fading from existence
Dematerialization is the process of becoming or making non-physical.
In finance, it refers to converting paper certificates (stocks, bonds) into electronic records: The dematerialization of securities reduced paperwork and fraud.
More broadly, it describes the shift from physical goods to digital equivalents—music files replacing CDs, e-books replacing paper.
In paranormal contexts, dematerialization is the supposed vanishing of physical objects or beings into thin air.
Ceasing to be visible
- disappearanceAct of going missing
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- dissolvingPassing into solution
- evaporationLiquid turning to gas
dissipation · melting · evanescence · invisibility · absence · erasure · sublimation · dispersal
Using no printed materials
- digitizationAnalog-to-electronic transformation
- virtualizationCreating simulated computing environments
- cloudAtmospheric water vapor mass
- e-booksElectronic publications
streaming · e-commerce · online · servers · encryption · software · cybersecurity · networks
Surpassing usual limits
- astralRelating to stars
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- incorporealNot made of matter
- disembodimentSeparation from physical form
spirit · ascension · otherworldly · nirvana · moksha · soul · afterlife · metaphysical
Smallest discrete unit
- teleportationInstantaneous displacement across space
- wavefunctionQuantum state's mathematical representation
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- entanglementState of being intertwined
antimatter · photon · Planck · quantization
Complete change of form
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- transubstantiationChange of underlying substance
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- conversionAct of changing states
sublimation · transfiguration · transmute · morph · alteration · reconstitution · shapeshifting · transmogrify
Process of breaking apart
- crumbleFragment gradually
- decomposeBreak into simpler parts
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
corrode · rot · wither · atrophy · breakdown · fragment · dissolve · disperse
Aesthetic of reduction
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- zero-wasteNo garbage produced
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
vanishing
Ceasing to be visible
- disappearanceAct of going missing
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- dissolvingPassing into solution
evaporation · dissipation · melting · evanescence · invisibility · absence · erasure · sublimation · dispersal · intangibility
paperless
Using no printed materials
- digitizationAnalog-to-electronic transformation
- virtualizationCreating simulated computing environments
- cloudAtmospheric water vapor mass
e-books · streaming · e-commerce · online · servers · encryption · software · cybersecurity · networks · connectivity
transcendence
Surpassing usual limits
- astralRelating to stars
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- incorporealNot made of matter
disembodiment · spirit · ascension · otherworldly · nirvana · moksha · soul · afterlife · metaphysical · bodiless
quantum
Smallest discrete unit
- teleportationInstantaneous displacement across space
- wavefunctionQuantum state's mathematical representation
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
entanglement · antimatter · photon · Planck · quantization
transmutation
Complete change of form
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- transubstantiationChange of underlying substance
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
conversion · sublimation · transfiguration · transmute · morph · alteration · reconstitution · shapeshifting · transmogrify
disintegration
Process of breaking apart
deteriorate · corrode · rot · wither · atrophy · breakdown · fragment · dissolve · disperse · perish
minimalism
Aesthetic of reduction
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- zero-wasteNo garbage produced
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- vanishingdisappearance, vanish, vanishing, disappear, fading
- sustainabilityreduce, reuse, recycle, sustainable yield, recycling programs
- Ecodesignbiodegradable, biomimicry, circular economy, cradle-to-cradle, eco-friendly
- psychic phenomenatelepathy, clairvoyance, ESP, precognition, extrasensory
- spiritualismseance, mediumship, seances, medium, channeling
- supernatural phenomenalevitation, telekinesis, telepathy, teleportation, apparition
dematerializationmaterialization
Coming into tangible existence
solidification · condensation · crystallization · coagulation · precipitation
dematerializationmanifestation
Outward display of something
embodiment · incarnation · reification · appearance · substantiation
material, materialize, immaterial, materialistic, materialism, materialist, materialized, materializes, materializing