DISPERSE Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'disperse' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disperse are dispel , dissipate , and scatter . While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group. // police dispersed the crowd

Q: When can 'dispel' be used instead of 'disperse'?

Although the words dispel and disperse have much in common, dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering. // an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

Q: When could 'dissipate' be used to replace 'disperse'?

The meanings of dissipate and disperse largely overlap; however, dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance. // the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

Q: When would 'scatter' be a good substitute for 'disperse'?

The words scatter and disperse can be used in similar contexts, but scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions. // the bowling ball scattered the pins

disperse

verb

di-ˈspərs

Definition of disperse

as in to dissipate

to go off in different directions and cease to exist as a body or unified whole the crowd dispersed once the show ended

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to scatter

to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart the family of the missing woman dispersed searchers to all corners of the national park

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disband

to cease to exist or cause to cease to exist as a group or organization the campaign staff dispersed almost immediately after the election

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disperse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disperse are dispel, dissipate, and scatter. While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

When can dispel be used instead of disperse?

Although the words dispel and disperse have much in common, dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

When could dissipate be used to replace disperse?

The meanings of dissipate and disperse largely overlap; however, dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

When would scatter be a good substitute for disperse?

The words scatter and disperse can be used in similar contexts, but scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of disperse As the Night Court’s Inner Circle disperses far and wide, desperate for any advantage against Koschei and his mighty allies, peace hangs by a fragile thread. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 Amtrak announced last week that $600 million in Federal Railroad Administration grants are being dispersed to rail projects in Chicago. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 This one has built-in UPF 50-plus sun protection and HydroFreeze X technology that wicks and disperses sweat, using moisture and airflow to create a cooling effect. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026 Those difficulties are especially acute across Chocó, one of Colombia’s poorest departments, where many small and dispersed communities are connected principally by rivers and waterways rather than roads. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disperse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disperse

Verb

The energy dissipated in the second half, taken away by two goals and the lack of familiarity between the squad.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
The fog should gradually lift and dissipate around 9 am EDT this morning.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of dissipate

Verb

Let your originality help the group without scattering the agenda.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
During the band’s hiatus, the members had scattered slightly, with Fogg in north Alabama, Cockrell in Nashville and Howard just outside the country-music capital.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of scatter

Verb

Let the lower courts have more power to decide cases, and disband the Supreme Court.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026
Lee was a veteran unionist spending his career fighting to improve workers’ conditions while Ho, a lawyer by profession, was a founding member of the city’s biggest opposition Democratic Party, which was disbanded in late 2025.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of disband

Verb

But as the government cracked down on the demonstrations, killing thousands according to estimates by human rights groups, Moaiery told me the people’s hope had disappeared.

— Jim Sciutto, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Many of the once-popular subcompact options have disappeared, such as the Chevy Spark and the Hyundai Accent.

— Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of disappear

Verb

Also at the meeting, the discussion about Davis's motion to dissolve the Design Review Board was moved to a later date after some heated discussion.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Add the sugar and date molasses to the brown butter and use a hand mixer (or whisk by hand) until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns pale.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of dissolve

Verb

Bitcoin has been in a prolonged slump since October, and BTIG noted that a similar surge in January 2023 initially faded before the cryptocurrency found support around its 200-day moving average.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
The crimson hue that may have been visible at the height of the eclipse will gradually fade as the crescent of the lunar disk exposed to direct sunlight grows, and normality reasserts itself over the natural satellite.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of fade

Browse Nearby Words

dispersals

disperse

dispersed

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“Disperse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disperse. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of disperse

verb

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