Dissolve — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /di-ˈzälv/ dis·solve

Meaning & Definition of Dissolve

Dissolve (verb)

  1. to cause to disperse or disappear, destroy
  2. to separate into component parts, disintegrate
  3. to bring to an end, terminate

Dissolve (noun)

  1. a gradual superimposing of one video, film, or television shot upon another on a screen

Dissolve (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cease to be visible

    "as the mist dissolved in the morning sun"

    similar: dematerialize, disappear, evanesce, evaporate, fade, flee, fly, melt, sink, vanish, drop out of sight
    related: blank (out), clear, die (away or down or out), disperse, dissipate, dry up, blur, dim
    opposite: appear, materialize
    near: arrive, break out, come out, emerge, issue, loom, show up

  2. to cease to exist or cause to cease to exist as a group or organization

    "the company formally dissolved three months after declaring bankruptcy"

    similar: break up, disband, disperse
    related: demobilize
    opposite: band, join, unite
    near: incorporate, consolidate, hang together

  3. to put an end to by formal action

    "the king simply dissolved parliament"

    similar: abate, abolish, abrogate, annul, avoid, cancel, disannul, invalidate, negate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void, do away with, set aside
    related: countermand, override, overrule, overturn, veto, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw, ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit, disallow, dismiss, reject, annihilate, break down, eliminate, eradicate, erase, liquidate, remove, throw out, write off
    near: enact, lay down, legislate, establish, found, institute, formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate, pass, ratify, allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse, permit, sanction, warrant, command, decree, mandate, order, prescribe

  4. to go off in different directions and cease to exist as a body or unified whole

    "the clouds gradually dissolved, and the sun came out"

    similar: disassemble, disperse, dissipate, scatter
    related: branch (out), break up, disband, diverge, divide, fork, separate, spill, clear, disappear, evanesce, evaporate, fade, flee, go (away), melt
    near: congregate, gather, meet

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dissolve

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dissolve:

dematerialize, disappear, evanesce, evaporate, fade, flee, fly, melt, sink, vanish, break up, disband, disperse, abate, abolish, abrogate, annul, avoid, cancel, disannul, invalidate, negate, null, nullify, quash, repeal, rescind, roll back, strike down, vacate, void, disassemble, dissipate, scatter, drop out of sight, do away with, set aside

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dissolve

Words with the opposite meaning of Dissolve:

appear, materialize, band, join, unite

Related Words for Dissolve

blank (out), clear, die (away or down or out), dry up, blur, dim, demobilize, countermand, override, overrule, overturn, veto, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, retract, reverse, revoke, suspend, withdraw, ban, enjoin, forbid, outlaw, prohibit, disallow, dismiss, reject

Near Antonyms of Dissolve

arrive, break out, come out, emerge, issue, loom, show up, incorporate, consolidate, hang together, enact, lay down, legislate, establish, found, institute, formalize, legalize, legitimate, legitimize, validate, pass, ratify, allow, approve, authorize, clear, endorse, permit, sanction

Word Forms of Dissolve

Inflections: dissolved, dissolving, dissolves

Derived words: dissolvable (adjective), dissolvent (noun or adjective), dissolver (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Dissolve

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

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dissolve

Frequently Asked Questions about Dissolve

What does "Dissolve" mean?

"Dissolve" means to cause to disperse or disappear, destroy. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to cause to disperse or disappear, destroy. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dissolve"?

Other words for "Dissolve" include dematerialize, disappear, evanesce, evaporate, fade, flee, fly and melt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dissolve" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dissolve"?

There are 83 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dissolve". Common alternatives include dematerialize, disappear, evanesce, evaporate, fade, flee, fly, melt, sink and vanish.

What is the opposite of "Dissolve"?

Antonyms of "Dissolve" include appear, materialize, band, join and unite. Near antonyms include arrive, break out, come out and emerge.

How do you use "Dissolve" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dissolve" in a sentence: "as the mist dissolved in the morning sun"; "the company formally dissolved three months after declaring bankruptcy"; "the king simply dissolved parliament".

Is "Dissolve" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dissolve" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Dissolve" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Dissolve" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Dissolve"?

"Dissolve" is pronounced /di-ˈzälv/ and divided into syllables as dis·solve.