1
as in dissolving
to cease to exist or cause to cease to exist as a group or organization
the university disbanded the committee after the report had been submitted the rock group disbanded upon finishing their farewell tour
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dispersing
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
police disbanded the rioters with tear gas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of disbanding
The group released seven studio albums between 1985 and 2011 before disbanding in 2014 after Spinks died of liver cancer, followed by Lewis’ death in 2020.
—
Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026
Over the past year, the Justice Department has been in turmoil, with new leaders essentially gutting the public integrity and tax units and disbanding a task force designed to fight international corruption.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
More recently, the Center established a new senior advisory committee after disbanding the former one last April.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Since disbanding Gnarls Barkley, Green and Danger Mouse have both pursued solo careers.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2026
These earlier massacres also made the SDF hesitant about completely disbanding immediately, as Sharaa continues to demand.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The Bruins played in the American Basketball League through the 1930-31 season before disbanding, then were revived for the National Basketball League.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The nonprofit institution that provided significant funding for PBS and NPR is disbanding after nearly 60 years in operation.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
The American Independence Party of George Wallace did a little better in 1968, carrying five states and 46 electoral votes before disbanding nationally, even though a California affiliate remains as a minor party.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026
Over the past year, the Justice Department has been in turmoil, with new leaders essentially gutting the public integrity and tax units and disbanding a task force designed to fight international corruption.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
More recently, the Center established a new senior advisory committee after disbanding the former one last April.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Since disbanding Gnarls Barkley, Green and Danger Mouse have both pursued solo careers.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2026
These earlier massacres also made the SDF hesitant about completely disbanding immediately, as Sharaa continues to demand.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The Bruins played in the American Basketball League through the 1930-31 season before disbanding, then were revived for the National Basketball League.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The nonprofit institution that provided significant funding for PBS and NPR is disbanding after nearly 60 years in operation.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
The American Independence Party of George Wallace did a little better in 1968, carrying five states and 46 electoral votes before disbanding nationally, even though a California affiliate remains as a minor party.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disbanding
Verb
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Many of its songs crystallize around samples of choirs singing, their soft syllables dissolving beneath heavy shrouds of reverb.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Bones in her shoulder were dissolving, something called osteolysis.—
Scott Pelley,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The missiles are the largest of Iran’s submunition-dispersing arsenal.—
Melanie Lidman,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of dispersing, the crowd pelted officers with snowballs, ice and, according to police union reports, rocks.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disbanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbanding. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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