atomize

Syllables: a·tom·ize/ˈætəmaɪz/US/ˈætəmaɪz/

atomize verb: to separate or reduce into atoms.

Verb

atomize (third-person singular simple present atomizes, present participle atomizing, simple past and past participle atomized)

(transitive) To separate or reduce into atoms.
(transitive) To make into a fine spray.
- Near-synonyms: aerosolize, vaporize, nebulize
Synonyms:

aerosolize, vaporize, nebulize
(transitive) To fragment; to break into small pieces or concepts.
- Near-synonyms: anatomize, analyze, scrutinize
- An organism is then atomized into 'traits' and these traits are explained as structures optimally designed by natural selection for their functions.1979, Gould, Stephen J., and Richard C. Lewontin. "The Spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian Paradigm: A Critique of the Adaptationist Programme." Proceedings of the Royal Society of London 205...
Synonyms:

anatomize, analyze, scrutinize
To deprive of community and political capital.
- Near-synonym: disunite
Synonyms:

disenfranchise, disunite
(transitive) To bomb with nuclear weapons.
- Near-synonyms: pulverize, annihilate
Synonyms:

pulverize, annihilate

third-person singular present	atomizes
present participle	atomizing
past participle	atomized
past	atomized
alternative form	atomise

From atom + -ize.

What does atomize mean?: Atomize means to separate or reduce into atoms.
What part of speech is atomize?: Atomize is a verb.
How do you pronounce atomize?: Atomize is pronounced /ˈætəmaɪz/ (UK).
What is the past tense of atomize?: The past tense of atomize is atomized.

Adapted from Wiktionary: atomize (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

Last updated: 2026-09-02

Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-atomize.wav.

Cite this entry: “atomize.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/atomize. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.