What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disintegrate
Example
The old building began to disintegrate due to years of neglect. [disintegrate: verb]
Example
The rock disintegrated into small fragments after being exposed to extreme heat. [disintegrated: past participle]
collapse
Example
The bridge collapsed due to heavy rainfall and flooding. [collapse: verb]
Example
The company's stock prices collapsed after the CEO resigned. [collapsed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Collapse is more commonly used than disintegrate in everyday language, especially in news reports and emergency situations. Disintegrate is less common and often used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disintegrate and collapse?
Both disintegrate and collapse are formal words, but collapse is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while disintegrate is more technical and less commonly used in everyday conversation.
