disintegration
Breaking into pieces
Disintegration is the process of breaking apart into smaller pieces or components, often to the point of destruction or collapse.
Physical objects disintegrate when their structure fails—a crumbling building, a decaying body, a spacecraft burning up on reentry.
The word extends to abstractions: the disintegration of a marriage, the disintegration of social order.
In physics, it refers specifically to radioactive decay, where atomic nuclei break down spontaneously.
Breaking up completely
- breakupRomantic relationship's termination
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- splinteringBreaking into sharp fragments
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
schism · polarization · collapse · unraveling · disbanding · dispersal · scattering · division
Sudden structural failure
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- failureLack of success
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- ruptureViolent tearing apart
crash · dismantling · falling apart · unraveling · coming apart · buckling · implosion · demolition
Failure or decomposition
- unravelingProcess of coming undone
- falling apartGradually breaking into pieces
- mental collapseAcute psychological failure
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
decompensation · fragmentation · identity crisis · dissociation · coming undone · losing grip · destabilization · emotional collapse
Fragment gradually
- fragmentIncomplete portion of whole
- shatterFragment violently, suddenly
- splinterThin sharp fragment
- fractureSplit in hard material
pulverize · erode · decay · deteriorate · corrode · rust · oxidation · wear
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
compost · spoilage · mold · fungus · bacterial · necrosis · autolysis · carrion
Unstable atoms releasing energy
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- atomicOf elemental particles
- nuclearOf atomic energy
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
alpha decay · beta decay · isotope · transmutation · radiation · chain reaction · splitting · radioactivity
dissolution
Breaking up completely
- breakupRomantic relationship's termination
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- splinteringBreaking into sharp fragments
factionalism · schism · polarization · collapse · unraveling · disbanding · dispersal · scattering · division · separation
collapse
Sudden structural failure
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- failureLack of success
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
rupture · crash · dismantling · falling apart · unraveling · coming apart · buckling · implosion · demolition · wreckage
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
- unravelingProcess of coming undone
- falling apartGradually breaking into pieces
- mental collapseAcute psychological failure
deterioration · decompensation · fragmentation · identity crisis · dissociation · coming undone · losing grip · destabilization · emotional collapse
crumble
Fragment gradually
fracture · pulverize · erode · decay · deteriorate · corrode · rust · oxidation · wear · fatigue
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
biodegradation · compost · spoilage · mold · fungus · bacterial · necrosis · autolysis · carrion · cellular
radioactive decay
Unstable atoms releasing energy
half-life · alpha decay · beta decay · isotope · transmutation · radiation · chain reaction · splitting · radioactivity · uranium
- Alien Invasionflying saucers, death rays, tripods, ray guns, war machines
- breaking downsplitting, fragmenting, dividing, breaking up, partitioning
- decayrot, decay rate, wilt, crumble, decomposition
- destructiondestruction, destroying, demolishing, devastation, ruination
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- instabilityinstability, unsteadiness, shakiness, wobbliness, precariousness
disintegrationintegration
Combining into a whole
consolidation · cohesion · solidification · preservation · construction
disintegrationunification
Merging into one entity
integration · consolidation · coalescence · unity · cohesion
disintegrationintegration
Combining into a whole
assembly · fusion · synthesis · combination · amalgamation