Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb disperse

6 senses of disperse

Sense 1
scatter, sprinkle, dot, dust, disperse -- (distribute loosely; "He scattered gun powder under the wagon")
       => discharge -- (pour forth or release; "discharge liquids")

Sense 2
disperse, dissipate, dispel, break up, scatter -- (to cause to separate and go in different directions; "She waved her hand and scattered the crowds")
       => separate, divide -- (make a division or separation)

Sense 3
break up, disperse, scatter -- (cause to separate; "break up kidney stones"; "disperse particles")
       => change integrity -- (change in physical make-up)

Sense 4
disperse, dissipate, scatter, spread out -- (move away from each other; "The crowds dispersed"; "The children scattered in all directions when the teacher approached";)
       => separate, part, split -- (go one's own way; move apart; "The friends separated after the party")

Sense 5
disperse -- (separate (light) into spectral rays; "the prosm disperses light")
       => separate -- (divide into components or constituents; "Separate the wheat from the chaff")

Sense 6
circulate, circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate, propagate, broadcast, spread, diffuse, disperse, pass around -- (cause to become widely known; "spread information"; "circulate a rumor"; "broadcast the news")
       => publicize, publicise, air, bare -- (make public; "She aired her opinions on welfare")