Definition
To pulverize means to reduce to dust or powder by crushing or grinding something into small pieces.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Verb
Synonyms
Crush, grind, smash, shatter, break into pieces, disintegrate.
Antonyms
Assemble, construct, build, create, make.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | pulverization, pulverizations |
| Verb | pulverizing, pulverized, pulverize, pulverizes |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The bulldozer was used to pulverize the old building to make way for the new one.
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The chef used a mortar and pestle to pulverize the spices for the sauce.
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The impact of the meteor was strong enough to pulverize the rocks on the surface of the moon.
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The football team was able to pulverize their opponents, winning the game 42-0.
Usage
Pulverize is derived from the Latin word ‘pulveris,’ which means dust or powder. It can be used to describe a wide range of actions that result in the destruction of an object or material. Pulverize can be used to describe physical processes like crushing, grinding, or smashing, as well as metaphorical processes like defeating an opponent in a competition or argument.
The word can also be modified by prefixes or suffixes to create related words. For example, the prefix “re-” can be added to “pulverize” to create “repulverize,” meaning to crush or grind something again. The suffix “-er” can be added to “pulverize” to create “pulverizer,” which is a machine used to crush or grind materials.
Overall, pulverize is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts to describe the destruction or reduction of something into small pieces or particles. Its various forms and derivatives make it a useful and flexible word for writers and speakers alike.