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

Explanation

To atomize something is to transform it into a fine spray. A perfume bottle atomizes your cologne so you can spritz it on your neck. When a substance is lightly sprayed, something needs to atomize it first. Atomize can also mean breaking something into small pieces or units: "Graduating from college seemed to atomize her group of friends, separating and spreading them across the country." In the 1840s, atomize meant "reduce to atoms," and by 1865 it also meant "reduce to a fine mist." It comes from the Latin atomus, "indivisible particle," from the Greek root atomos, "indivisible, uncut."

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

Q. Are you aware that in course of time the atomizer port will become worn too large and will discharge too large a volume of steam to properly atomize, and the remedy?

From The Traveling Engineers' Association To Improve The Locomotive Engine Service of American Railroads by Anonymous