dissipate

[dis-uh-peyt]

verb (used with object)

dissipated, dissipating 

1. to scatter in various directions; disperse; dispel.

   Antonyms: unite

2. to spend or use wastefully or extravagantly; squander; deplete.

   to dissipate one's talents; to dissipate a fortune on high living.

verb (used without object)

dissipated, dissipating 

1. to become scattered or dispersed; be dispelled; disintegrate.

   The sun shone and the mist dissipated.

   Synonyms: vanish, disappear
   Antonyms: unite

2. to indulge in extravagant, intemperate, or dissolute pleasure.

dissipate

/ ˈdɪsɪˌpeɪt /

verb

1. to exhaust or be exhausted by dispersion

2. (tr) to scatter or break up

3. (intr) to indulge in the pursuit of pleasure

Other Word Forms

• dissipater noun
• dissipator noun
• dissipative adjective
• dissipativity noun
• nondissipative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissipate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin dissipātus (past participle of dissipāre, dissupāre “to scatter”); -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissipate¹

C15: from Latin dissipāre to disperse, from _dis- ¹ + supāre to throw

Synonym Study

See scatter.

Example Sentences

If the emotion dissipates, so can the performance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For the first time in months, widespread rainfall is drenching the Los Angeles area as a strong band of moisture from a dissipated tropical storm moves north.

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But whilst Danish policymakers saw policies through, she argues that in the UK the momentum "dissipated", as other priorities and short-term problems emerged.

Read more on BBC

The altercation dissipated quickly, according to the complaint, but then at about 1:46 a.m.,

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Running between 100 and 400 feet below ground, it would be engineered to absorb and dissipate land movement at the southern entrance.

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Related Words

• dispel 
• disperse 
• dissolve 
• evaporate 
• spread 
• vanish