What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decentralization
Example
The company's decentralization policy allowed each branch to make decisions independently. [decentralization: noun]
Example
The government is considering decentralizing some of its services to better serve the needs of local communities. [decentralizing: present participle]
dispersion
Example
The dispersion of the protesters made it difficult for the police to control the situation. [dispersion: noun]
Example
The perfume's dispersion in the air was noticeable as soon as she entered the room. [dispersion: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decentralization is more commonly used than dispersion in the context of organizations or governments. Dispersion is more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts, such as physics or chemistry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between decentralization and dispersion?
Decentralization is a formal term often used in academic or political discourse, while dispersion is a more general term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.