Standard Lemma guide

atomize

verb · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈætəmaɪz/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ˈætəmaɪz/
  • General-American: [-ɾə-]
  • rhymes with -ætəmaɪz

1

verb

Meaning 1

To separate or reduce into atoms.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make into a fine spray.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: aerosolize, vaporize

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: aerosolize, vaporize

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To fragment; to break into small pieces or concepts.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: anatomize, analyze, scrutinize

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: anatomize, analyze, scrutinize

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To deprive of community and political capital.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, politics

Examples

  • Near-synonym: disunite

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disenfranchise, disunite

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To bomb with nuclear weapons.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: pulverize, annihilate

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pulverize, annihilate

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

break up into small particles

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the fine powder had been atomized by air

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: atomise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: break up, fragment, fragmentize, fragmentise

7

verb

Meaning 7

strike at with firepower or bombs

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • zap the enemy

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: nuke, atomise, zap

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: bombard, bomb

8

verb

Meaning 8

spray very finely

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • atomize perfume

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: atomise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: spray

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Hellenic *ə- Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) Proto-Indo-European *temh1- Proto-Indo-European *-né- Ancient Greek τέμνω (témnō) Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Hellenic *-ós ▲ Ancient Greek -ος (-os)influ. Ancient Greek -ός (-ós) Ancient Greek *τομός (*tomós) Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos)bor. Latin atomusbor. Middle French athomebor. Middle English attome English atom Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English atomize From atom + -ize.

Across languages

Translations

33 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: atomitzar — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • Finnish: hajottaa atomeiksi — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • French: atomiser — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • Galician: atomizar — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • German: atomisieren — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • Māori: ngotangota — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • Polish: atomizować — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • Polish: zatomizować — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • Portuguese: atomizar — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • Spanish: atomizar — to separate or reduce into atoms
  • Bulgarian: разпрашвам (razprašvam) — to make into a fine spray
  • Bulgarian: пулверизирам (pulveriziram) — to make into a fine spray
  • Catalan: atomitzar — to make into a fine spray
  • Finnish: muuttaa sumuksi — to make into a fine spray
  • Galician: atomizar — to make into a fine spray
  • German: atomisieren — to make into a fine spray
  • Irish: adamhaigh — to make into a fine spray
  • Polish: atomizować — to make into a fine spray
  • Polish: zatomizować — to make into a fine spray
  • Portuguese: atomizar — to make into a fine spray
  • Spanish: atomizar — to make into a fine spray
  • Catalan: atomitzar — to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
  • Finnish: pilkkoa — to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
  • French: décomposer — to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
  • Galician: atomizar — to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
  • German: atomisieren — to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
  • Polish: atomizować — to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
  • Polish: zatomizować — to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
  • Portuguese: atomizar — to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
  • Spanish: atomizar — to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
  • Finnish: pommittaa ydinaseilla — to bomb with nuclear weapons
  • French: bombarder — to bomb with nuclear weapons
  • French: atomiser — to bomb with nuclear weapons