Definitions

disperse

[dih-spurs] / dɪˈspɜrs /

VERB

distribute; scatter

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break up circulate diffuse disappear disband discharge dislodge dispel dissipate dissolve scatter separate spray spread vanish

STRONG

banish besprinkle broadcast deal disburse dismiss disseminate eject intersperse partition propagate radiate rout scramble shed sow strew

WEAK

cast forth divvy dole out measure out send off split up take off in all directions

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accumulate appear arrive collect gather marry unite

STRONG

hide hold keep welcome

WEAK

arrange assemble garner

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The torrential rain forces many of those who had gathered to disperse.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

AFP journalists saw several people arrested by police, who also fired tear gas to disperse the growing crowds.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Typically, winds in the upper atmosphere can weaken or disperse gravity waves before they reach such heights.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

For business, it eliminated the need for geographic proximity, allowing corporations to disperse their operations and enabling the first skyscrapers to function efficiently.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The last wisps of smoke dissipate, the crowd begins to disperse.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Vocabulary lists containing disperse

Fahrenheit 451

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham

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All American Boys

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