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Disperse: meaning, definitions and examples

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disperse

 

[dɪˈspəːs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in nature

To disperse means to scatter or spread in different directions. It is often used to describe the movement of particles, substances, or individuals away from each other.

Synonyms

distribute, scatter, spread.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disperse

Used when talking about things or people breaking apart and moving in different directions. Often used in formal contexts or describing police actions.

  • The police dispersed the crowd after the protest.
  • The seeds disperse when the wind blows.
scatter

Used when talking about things being thrown or spread in various random directions. Often informal and suggests a more chaotic action.

  • The children scattered the toys all over the room.
  • The wind scattered the leaves across the yard.
spread

Best used to describe something extending over a larger area or moving from one place to another. This can refer to things like rumors, diseases, or substances.

  • The news spread quickly through the small town.
  • She spread butter on her toast.
distribute

Appropriate when referring to something being given out or shared among people or places in an organized way.

  • The charity distributes food to the homeless every weekend.
  • They will distribute the new textbooks to the students next week.

Examples of usage

  • The seeds disperse in the wind, spreading to new areas for growth.
  • The smoke from the fire dispersed quickly in the open field.
  • The crowd began to disperse after the event ended.
Context #2 | Verb

in a group

To disperse can also mean to break up and leave a group or gathering. It implies the act of people going their separate ways.

Synonyms

disband, dissipate, scatter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disperse

Usually used to describe the action of a group spreading out or individuals going in different directions. Can be used for physical objects like particles or people, often to avoid concentration or gathering.

  • The police ordered the crowd to disperse
  • The fog began to disperse as the sun rose
dissipate

Generally refers to the gradual fading away or reduction of something intangible such as energy, heat, or enthusiasm. Often used in scientific or metaphorical contexts.

  • The heat from the fire slowly dissipated
  • Her anger began to dissipate after the apology
disband

Typically used when a formal group, such as a club, organization, or team, ceases to exist or stops functioning together.

  • After years of performance, the band decided to disband
  • The committee will disband after the report is submitted
scatter

Used when objects or individuals are spread out randomly over an area, often in a disorderly way. Can also be used figuratively.

  • The wind caused the leaves to scatter across the yard
  • The children scattered in different directions when the bell rang

Examples of usage

  • After the meeting, the team members dispersed to work on their individual tasks.
  • The protesters dispersed peacefully after delivering their message.
  • The students dispersed after the bell rang.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'dispersare,' where 'dis-' means apart and 'persare' means to scatter.
  • It first appeared in English writings in the late 15th century, linked to the act of scattering seeds.

Science

  • In chemistry, dispersion refers to the process of spreading one substance throughout another, like mixing oil and water.
  • In ecology, species dispersal is crucial for biodiversity, allowing plants and animals to spread and populate new areas.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and books, scenes often depict crowds dispersing in panic during a dramatic event, showcasing human reactions in crises.
  • Music festivals sometimes use the term to describe the aftermath when attendees leave after performances.

Psychology

  • Dispersal of attention in cognitive psychology refers to how our focus can spread thin when many things demand our attention at once.
  • Group dynamics studies show that dispersing individuals can alter behaviors, such as increased anonymity leading to different social interactions.

Literature

  • In literature, characters might disperse to signify the end of an era or event, emphasizing loneliness or change.
  • Poems often use the concept of dispersal to explore themes of separation or loss, capturing fleeting moments.

Translations

Translations of the word "disperse" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dispersar

🇮🇳 dispers करना

🇩🇪 zerstreuen

🇮🇩 menyebarkan

🇺🇦 дисперсувати

🇵🇱 rozpraszać

🇯🇵 散乱させる (さんらんさせる)

🇫🇷 disperser

🇪🇸 dispersar

🇹🇷 dağıtmak

🇰🇷 분산시키다 (bunsansikida)

🇸🇦 توزيع (tawzii)

🇨🇿 rozptýlit

🇸🇰 rozptýliť

🇨🇳 分散 (fēnsàn)

🇸🇮 razpršiti

🇮🇸 dreifa

🇰🇿 тарату

🇬🇪 გავრცელება (gavrts'eleba)

🇦🇿 yaymaq

🇲🇽 dispersar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,315, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.