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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disbanding
The Sequence became the first female hip-hop act to sign with Sugar Hill Records and released three albums before disbanding in 1985.
—
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2026
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
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
Formed in Los Angeles in the late 1990s, Rilo Kiley became one of indie rock’s defining acts before fracturing and ultimately disbanding in 2008.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 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
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2026
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
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
Formed in Los Angeles in the late 1990s, Rilo Kiley became one of indie rock’s defining acts before fracturing and ultimately disbanding in 2008.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disbanding
Verb
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Instead of dissolving them with chemicals, Ecco and Spinnova mechanically turn these scraps into textile fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Clavicular allegedly injected teen with 'fat-dissolving' drug Six months after their first encounter, Mendoza allegedly ran into Clavicular while attending a networking event in Miami with friends, per court documents.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Officers deployed pepper spray and rubber bullets to repel the crowd; a smaller gathering of about 200 people assembled peacefully on Sunday before dispersing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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As the bow and stern sections tore free from one another, the ship's contents were ejected and rained down across the ocean floor, dispersing everything from luggage and dinnerware to engine parts and personal belongings.—
Jordan Runtagh,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disbanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbanding. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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