vaporize

verb

va·​por·​ize ˈvā-pə-ˌrīz How to pronounce vaporize (audio)
vaporized; vaporizing
Synonyms of vaporizenext

transitive verb

1
: to convert (as by the application of heat or by spraying) into vapor
2
: to cause to become dissipated
3
: to destroy by or as if by converting into vapor
a tank vaporized by a shell

intransitive verb

1
: to become vaporized
2
: vapor sense 2
vaporizable
ˈvā-pə-ˌrī-zə-bəl How to pronounce vaporize (audio)
adjective
vaporization
ˌvā-pər-ə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce vaporize (audio)
noun

Synonyms of vaporize

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Examples of vaporize in a Sentence

Heat is used to vaporize the liquid. Pressure causes the chemical to vaporize.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their outer layers char or vaporize while carrying heat away from the vehicle. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 For the past year, markets have vaporized roughly $2 trillion in software value by asking the wrong question about AI. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Steven Tian and Stephen Henriques, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026 Fortunes are being minted and vaporized with equal speed right before our very eyes. — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 This large mass will translate into higher quantities of polluting propellant needed to loft these systems off Earth and a much larger amount of metals vaporizing in Earth's atmosphere during reentry. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vaporize

Word History

Etymology

vapor entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vaporize was in 1803

Rhymes for vaporize

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Browse Nearby Words

vaporizable
vaporize
vaporizer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vaporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaporize. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vaporize

verb
va·​por·​ize ˈvā-pə-ˌrīz How to pronounce vaporize (audio)
vaporized; vaporizing
: to turn from a liquid or solid into vapor
vaporization
ˌvā-pə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce vaporize (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

vaporize

verb
va·​por·​ize
variants also British vaporise
ˈvā-pə-ˌrīz How to pronounce vaporize (audio)
vaporized also British vaporised; vaporizing also British vaporising

transitive verb

: to convert from a liquid or solid into a vapor
vaporized plaque in an artery with laser treatment

intransitive verb

: to become vaporized
vaporizable adjective
also British vaporisable
-ˌrī-zə-bəl How to pronounce vaporize (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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