disperse
/dɪˈspɜːs/
Group 28Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To distribute or spread over a wide area; to go in different directions GRE
Example in Context
Police used loudspeakers to order the crowd to disperse peacefully, but the demonstrators held their ground.
Synonyms
scatterspreadbreak up
Etymology
To scatter apart in different directions.
- dis- (Latin) — apart
- spargere (Latin) — to scatter
Memory Aid
👛Sounds like “this purse”
Imagine a purse exploding everywhere, scattering cash like confetti — it's DISPERSE!
Visual Association
💨A cloud of colorful confetti raining down as a crowd disperses in laughter.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “disperse” mean on the GRE?
disperse (verb) means “To distribute or spread over a wide area; to go in different directions”. Police used loudspeakers to order the crowd to disperse peacefully, but the demonstrators held their ground.
How to remember “disperse” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “disperse” sounds like “this purse”. Imagine a purse exploding everywhere, scattering cash like confetti — it's DISPERSE!
What are synonyms for “disperse”?
Common synonyms: scatter, spread, break up.