atomize

American  

[at-uh-mahyz] / ˈæt əˌmaɪz /

especially British, atomise

verb (used with object)

atomized, atomizing

1. to reduce to atoms.

2. to reduce to fine particles or spray.

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

4. 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.

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verb (used without object)

atomized, atomizing

1. to split into smaller units; fragment.

   Critics say the group has atomized around several leaders.

atomize British  

/ 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

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

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Other Word Forms

• atomization noun

Etymology

Origin of atomize

First recorded in 1670–80; atom + -ize

Example Sentences

Binge-watching and the content boom helped atomize American culture.

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2022

When you take physical communities and you atomize them, they’re not always as nourishing as the physical world.

From The Verge • Nov. 16, 2021

This may change things or it could completely atomize the island once and for all.

From Slate • Oct. 16, 2017

The effect parallels the subsequent crumbling of Vereen’s career and also Arceneaux’s attempt to atomize the damaging event.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2017

In these motors it is necessary to atomize the liquid fuel by means of aspired air, in order to produce an explosive, gaseous mixture.

From Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants A Practice Treatise Setting Forth the Principles of Gas-Engines and Producer Design, the Selection and Installation of an Engine, Conditions of Perfect Operation, Producer-Gas Engines and Their Possibilities, the Care of Gas-Engines and Producer-Gas Plants, with a Chapter on Volatile Hydrocarbon and Oil Engines by Mathot, R. E.