atomize

[ at-uh-mahyz ]
See synonyms for atomize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),at·om·ized, at·om·iz·ing.
  1. to reduce to atoms.

  2. to reduce to fine particles or spray.

  1. to destroy (a target) by bombing, especially with an atomic bomb.

  2. to split into smaller parts, sections, groups, factions, etc.: Principles of freedom and individual liberty encouraged the economic individualism that atomized the nation and destroyed social responsibility.

verb (used without object),at·om·ized, at·om·iz·ing.
  1. to split into smaller units; fragment: Critics say the group has atomized around several leaders.

Origin of atomize

1
First recorded in 1670–80; atom + -ize
  • Also especially British, at·om·ise .

Other words from atomize

  • at·om·i·za·tion [at-uh-mahy-zey-shuhn], /ˌæt əˌmaɪˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun

Words Nearby atomize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for atomize

atomize

atomise

/ (ˈætəˌmaɪz) /


verb
  1. to separate or be separated into free atoms

  2. to reduce (a liquid or solid) to fine particles or spray or (of a liquid or solid) to be reduced in this way

  1. (tr) to destroy by weapons, esp nuclear weapons

Derived forms of atomize

  • atomization or atomisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012