dissipate

[ dis-uh-peyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·si·pat·ed, dis·si·pat·ing.

1. to scatter in various directions; disperse; dispel.

   Antonyms: unite

2. to spend or use wastefully or extravagantly; squander; deplete:

   to dissipate one's talents; to dissipate a fortune on high living.

verb (used without object)

, dis·si·pat·ed, dis·si·pat·ing.

1. to become scattered or dispersed; be dispelled; disintegrate:

   The sun shone and the mist dissipated.

   Synonyms: vanish, disappear

   Antonyms: unite

2. to indulge in extravagant, intemperate, or dissolute pleasure.

dissipate

/ ˈdɪsɪˌpeɪt /

verb

1. to exhaust or be exhausted by dispersion
2. tr to scatter or break up
3. intr to indulge in the pursuit of pleasure

Derived Forms

• ˈdissiˌpative, adjective
• ˈdissiˌpater, noun

Other Words From

• dissi·pater dissi·pator noun
• dissi·pative adjective
• dis·si·pa·tiv·i·ty [dis-, uh, -p, uh, -, tiv, -i-tee], noun
• non·dissi·pative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissipate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin dissipātus (past participle of dissipāre, dissupāre “to scatter”); -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissipate¹

C15: from Latin dissipāre to disperse, from dis- ¹+ supāre to throw

Synonym Study

See scatter.

Example Sentences

Tsunamis, usually caused by underground earthquakes, dissipate within hours in the open ocean.

From BBC

“And these fjord systems are really complex, so the wave couldn't dissipate its energy.”

From BBC

When did the nerves dissipate for her?

From Los Angeles Times

“The irony is, even though Trump started the TikTok ban narrative, he’s changed his tune significantly and would actually support TikTok within the U.S. with restrictions, and any talk of a ban would actually dissipate for TikTok,” Ives said.

From Los Angeles Times

I hadn't even known how heavy it was until I watched it dissipate before my eyes.

From Salon

Related Words

• dispel
• disperse
• dissolve
• evaporate
• spread
• vanish