dissolve

1 of 2

verb

dis·​solve di-ˈzälv How to pronounce dissolve (audio) -ˈzȯlv How to pronounce dissolve (audio)
 also  -ˈzäv,
 or  -ˈzȯv
dissolved; dissolving; dissolves

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to disperse or disappear : destroy
do not dissolve and deface the laws of charityFrancis Bacon
b
: to separate into component parts : disintegrate
dissolved the company into smaller units
c
: to bring to an end : terminate
the king's power to dissolve parliament
their partnership was dissolved
d
law : annul
dissolve an injunction
the marriage was dissolved
2
a
chemistry : to cause to pass into solution (see solution sense 2b)
dissolve sugar in water
dissolve a chlorine tablet
b
: melt, liquefy
The heat will dissolve the chocolate.
c
: to cause to be emotionally moved (see move entry 1 sense transitive 5a)
She was dissolved in tears.
d
: to cause to fade in or out in a dissolve (see dissolve entry 2)
3
archaic : detach, loosen
4
: to clear up : to find a solution, explanation, or answer for
dissolve a problem

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become dissipated (see dissipate sense 1) or decomposed
the mist … dissolved as it touched the valleysHan Suyin
b
: break up, disperse
The temporary committee will be made to dissolve.
c
: to fade away
His strength had dissolved.
2
a
: to become fluid : melt
glaciers dissolving into the sea
b
chemistry : to pass into solution
Salt dissolves in water.
c
: to be overcome emotionally
He dissolved into tears.
d
: to resolve itself as if by dissolution
hate dissolved into fear
e
: to change by a dissolve
The scene dissolves to a Victorian parlor.
dissolvable adjective
dissolvent noun or adjective
dissolver noun

dissolve

2 of 2

noun

: a gradual superimposing of one motion-picture or television shot upon another on a screen

Examples of dissolve in a Sentence

Verb Dissolve the tablet in water. Hopes for peace dissolved in renewed violence. His kind words dissolved her sadness. The treatment is used to dissolve kidney stones.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Nearly three hours southwest is New Harmony, the site of two of America's early utopian communities, established in the early 1800s and dissolved by 1827. The Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2024 Add the white miso paste and use a fork or back of a spoon to mash and dissolve it into the liquids. Adrienne Cheatham, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 The oppression claim, if upheld by a court, could have resulted in an order to sell the company or dissolve it. Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 In a small glass measuring cup with a handle, add vinegar and salt; stir with a fork to dissolve salt. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 The group, which formed in the late 1990s, dissolved after the lawsuit was filed. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024 But that doesn’t mean the entire speciality is set to dissolve. Jane Thier, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2024 For its part, the new coalition government has dissolved state media and also enforced a court verdict to imprison two former Law and Justice ministers, amid a heated political row and public demonstrations. Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Feb. 2024 There have been calls for OpenAI to dissolve its nonprofit side, but the unorthodox structure remains in place. Juliana Kim, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
Those dissolves often seem to gloss over a not inconsiderable measure of intense suffering: backbreaking manual labor, beatings, possible torture. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 Given its two-game lead, Stanford is in solid position to win its 27th conference title before the Pac-12 dissolves as currently constructed. Jeff Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 Drifting on the open seas, where the horizon between sky and ocean dissolves, the confines of everyday life fade away, revealing an extraordinary realm of inspiration and possibilities. John Hall, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 Stir the egg white mixture constantly until sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes glossy and opaque. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2024 To make these muffins extra moist and to boost their lemony taste, mix ¼ cup lemon juice with ¼ cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Genevieve Ko, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 Nonetheless—this cocktail needs simple syrup, which is equal parts sugar and water, stirred until the sugar dissolves. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2024 Chop the rosemary leaves and add them to the mixture and continue stirring until the sugar dissolves. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 26 Jan. 2024 The old-school drink mix dissolves into a dye that will make your eggs the envy of the Easter egg hunt. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissolve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Latin dissolvere, from dis- + solvere to loosen — more at solve

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissolve was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dissolve

Cite this Entry

“Dissolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissolve. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dissolve

verb
dis·​solve
diz-ˈälv,
-ˈȯlv
dissolved; dissolving
1
: to mix or cause to mix with a liquid so that the result is a liquid that is the same throughout
sugar dissolves in water
2
: to bring to an end
dissolved their partnership
3
: to fade away as if by breaking up or melting
his courage dissolved in the face of danger
4
: to be overcome by a strong feeling
dissolved into tears
5
: to appear or fade out gradually so that one scene is replaced by another (as in movies or television)
dissolver noun

Medical Definition

dissolve

verb
dis·​solve diz-ˈälv How to pronounce dissolve (audio) -ˈȯlv How to pronounce dissolve (audio)
dissolved; dissolving

transitive verb

1
: to cause to pass into solution
dissolve sugar in water
2
: to cause to melt or liquefy

intransitive verb

1
: to become fluid
2
: to pass into solution
dissolvable adjective
dissolver noun

Legal Definition

dissolve

transitive verb
dis·​solve
dissolved; dissolving
: to bring about the dissolution of
dissolvable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on dissolve

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