What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
breakdown
Example
My car had a breakdown on the highway and I had to call for a tow truck. [breakdown: noun]
Example
She experienced a breakdown after the stressful events of the week. [breakdown: noun]
Example
Let's break down the problem into smaller steps to find a solution. [breakdown: verb]
disintegration
Example
The old building was in a state of disintegration, with walls crumbling and roofs collapsing. [disintegration: noun]
Example
The company faced disintegration due to internal conflicts and financial troubles. [disintegration: noun]
Example
Over time, the paper disintegrated into small fragments. [disintegrated: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Breakdown is more commonly used than disintegration in everyday language. Breakdown is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while disintegration is less common and tends to be used in more specific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between breakdown and disintegration?
While breakdown is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, disintegration is more formal and often used in technical or scientific discussions.
