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

The team anticipates this discovery will spark further investigations into how these waves propagate and dissipate energy in the corona.

Read more on Science Daily

Like Pakucko, Gleuck recalled suffering health effects during the blowout, including a tightness in her chest and a metallic taste in her mouth that dissipated when she left the area and resumed when she returned.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

These costs will dissipate, clearing the way for stronger results in the years ahead, Dollar Tree said.

Read more on Barron's

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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