dissipate

American  

[dis-uh-peyt] / ˈdɪs əˌpeɪt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See scatter.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of dissipate

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

Example Sentences

While the colder climate of space holds appeal for some backers of the galactic data-center vision, “there’s no airflow,” Huang noted, which could present challenges when it comes to dissipating heat.

From MarketWatch

As the gay and dissipated Ned, Mr. Taylor is sublimely funny: “Johnny Case? Isn’t that a Joan Crawford western?”

From The Wall Street Journal

"It helped me channel my perfectionism, taking it out of the dark and into the light and dissipating that shame."

From BBC

Economists say it could take a few more months for the data fog to dissipate.

From MarketWatch

By the time it began to assemble, much of the gas in the surrounding disc may have already dissipated, leaving too little material to build a thick atmosphere.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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