disperse

word

Definition

To cause something to spread out or move apart over a wide area. Often used for crowds, groups, or things like smoke or light.

Usage & Nuances

More formal than 'spread' or 'scatter'. Common collocations: 'disperse a crowd', 'disperse smoke', 'group dispersed'. Used both transitively ('police dispersed the protesters') and intransitively ('the clouds dispersed').

Example Sentences

The wind helped to disperse the smoke.

basic

Police asked the crowd to disperse.

basic

The seeds disperse in the wind.

basic

After the game ended, the fans began to disperse slowly.

natural

The sun came out and the clouds quickly dispersed.

natural

If you throw water in the air, the drops will disperse everywhere.

natural