fragmentize

[ frag-muhn-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, frag·ment·ized, frag·ment·iz·ing.

1. to break (something) into fragments; break (something) apart.

verb (used without object)

, frag·ment·ized, frag·ment·iz·ing.

1. to fall into fragments.

Other Words From

• fragment·i·zation noun
• fragment·izer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fragmentize¹

First recorded in 1805–15; fragment + -ize

More About Fragmentize

What does fragmentize mean?

Fragmentize means to separate something into parts or to break it into fragments—pieces, especially ones that have been broken off of or detached from something else.

Fragment can also be used as a verb to mean the same thing as fragmentize, but it is much more commonly used.

Sometimes, someone or something does the fragmentizing, as in They’re going to fragmentize the corporation into several companies. 

Fragmentize can also mean for something to break into fragments without someone doing the fragmentizing, as in The fossilized remains fragmentized over thousands of years. 

The adjective fragmentized describes things that have been broken into fragments or things that are or have been disorganized or disunified in some way. The adjective fragmented is more commonly used to mean the same thing.

Fragmentation is the process of breaking or falling into fragments, and the verb fragmentate is a less common synonym of fragmentize.

Example: The eroding forces of wind and water have fragmentized the rock into tiny bits.

Where does fragmentize come from?

The first records of the word fragmentize come from the early 1800s. It ultimately comes from the Latin fragmentum, meaning “a broken piece,” from the verb frangere, meaning “to break.” The word fragile also comes from frangere. The suffix -ize is used to form verbs and means “to convert into” or “to make into”—in this case, to make into fragments.

Fragment is similar to other words that mean pieces of a whole, such as part, piece, section, slice, or portion. When it’s used in the context of physical things, fragment usually refers to a piece that has been roughly broken off, often resulting in rough edges or an irregular shape. Such a fragment is usually a small piece and is often useless by itself. So, when things are said to have been fragmentized, it often means they have been made incomplete or less effective in some way.

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What are some other forms related to fragmentize?

• fragmentized (past tense verb, adjective)
• fragmentization (noun)
• fragmentizer (noun)

What are some synonyms for fragmentize?

• fragment (when fragment is used as a verb)
• fragmentate
• break
• split
• divide
• disintegrate
• splinter

What are some words that share a root or word element with fragmentize? 

• fragmented
• fragmentary (adjective)
• fragmental (adjective)
• fragmentation
• defragment
• fragile

What are some words that often get used in discussing fragmentize?

• bit
• scrap
• shred
• part
• piece
• apart

How is fragmentize used in real life?

Fragmentize can be used in the context of both tangible and intangible things. The verb fragment is more commonly used to mean the same thing.

My kneecap has been fragmentized… Or at least it feels that way.

— Marina Fernandez (@marina_lynne) February 10, 2012

“As an industry, we need to push back on general audience marketing” says Isaac Mizrahi of The Culture Marketing Council. “We are living in an era of hyper-fragmentizing of marketing. It’s okay to fragmentize advertising.”#MulticulturalTVSummit @MediaVillageCom

— Juan Ayala 🇺🇸🇸🇻 (@ijuanayala) April 3, 2018

 

Try using fragmentize!

Which of the following words is a synonym of fragmentize?

A. fragment
B. fragmentate
C. break
D. all of the above