What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lysis
Example
The virus causes lysis of the host cell. [lysis: noun]
Example
The antibiotic promotes bacterial lysis. [lysis: noun]
dissolution
Example
The sugar dissolves in water. [dissolves: verb]
Example
The dissolution of the company was due to financial difficulties. [dissolution: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dissolution is more commonly used than lysis in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and can refer to the ending of a partnership or the collapse of a system.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lysis and dissolution?
Both lysis and dissolution can be used in formal contexts, especially in scientific or medical writing. However, dissolution may also be used in informal contexts, such as referring to the ending of a personal relationship.