atomize

/ˈætəmaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈætəmaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈa-tə-ˌmīz/ (ame, mw)

atomize — 動詞

  • atomizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • atomizeshe / she / it
  • atomizedpast simple
  • atomizing-ing form

1. to force a liquid through a very small opening so that it becomes a cloud of tin

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

霧化

將液體化為極細的噴霧

to force a liquid through a very small opening so that it becomes a cloud of tiny drops, like spray or mist.

例句

Haruto uses a special bottle to atomize his homemade perfume into a fine mist.

Haruto 用一個特製瓶子將自製香水霧化為細緻的薄霧。

atomize his homemade perfume into a fine mist

The cleaning solution atomizes as it leaves the nozzle and spreads across the window.

清潔液離開噴嘴時會霧化，均勻散布在玻璃窗上。

solution atomizes as it leaves the nozzle

同義詞
  • spray

    more general; 'spray' can mean any scattered liquid, while 'atomize' specifically means breaking into very fine drops

  • vaporize

    different process — 'vaporize' turns liquid into gas, not droplets

  • mist

    noun only; 'to mist' is similar but less technical

反義詞
  • coalesce

    small drops join together into larger ones, the opposite physical process

文法句型

atomize + noun phrase (liquid/water/perfume)

noun phrase + atomizes (intransitive — of a liquid)

用法筆記

Frequently passive in industrial contexts. The object is usually a liquid (water, perfume, paint, oil). The preposition into introduces the result (mist, spray, cloud).

常見錯誤

❌The machine atomizes water to a steam.
✅The machine atomizes water into a fine mist.
💡'atomize' produces droplets, not vapor; use 'into' not 'to'.

2. to separate a group, system, or structure into many small pieces or units, often

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

分割；分化

將整體分成零散的弱化部分

to separate a group, system, or structure into many small pieces or units, often in a way that makes it weaker or harder to manage.

例句

The large department was atomized into six smaller teams with separate budgets.

這個大型部門被分割成六個較小的團隊，各自擁有獨立的預算。

department was atomized into six smaller teams

Fernando argued that the new policy would atomize the community and reduce its political influence.

Fernando 認為這項新政策會分化社區並削弱其政治影響力。

同義詞
  • fragment

    more common; 'fragment' can refer to physical breaking, while 'atomize' carries a sense of weakening through excessive division

  • splinter

    suggests breaking away of parts from a main body, especially in politics

  • disintegrate

    stronger — implies total loss of structure; 'atomize' leaves pieces but scatter them

反義詞
  • unite

    bring parts together into a whole, the opposite of fragmentation

  • consolidate

    combine into a stronger single unit

文法句型

be atomized + into + noun phrase

atomize + noun phrase (group/power/community)

用法筆記

Subject is typically an organisation, community, system, or audience. The passive form (be atomized into) is especially common. Distinguish from sense 1 (LIQUID sense = physical spray of a liquid; this sense = abstract fragmentation of a group or structure).

常見錯誤

❌The chef atomized the garlic into small pieces.
✅The chef chopped the garlic into small pieces.
💡'atomize' is not used for food preparation; use for abstract groups or systems.

3. to destroy a place completely by dropping bombs or using nuclear weapons on it.

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

轟炸；夷平

用炸彈或核武徹底摧毀

to destroy a place completely by dropping bombs or using nuclear weapons on it.

例句

The air force atomized the rebel base in a single night of heavy bombing.

空軍在一夜的猛烈轟炸中將叛軍基地夷為平地。

force atomized the rebel base

Entire neighborhoods were atomized by the bombing campaign during the siege.

圍城期間，整個街區在轟炸行動中被徹底摧毀。

neighborhoods were atomized by the bombing

同義詞
  • bomb

    general term; 'atomize' implies total destruction, often associated with nuclear weapons

  • annihilate

    complete destruction of any kind, not limited to bombing

  • obliterate

    erase all trace; similar intensity to 'atomize' but not necessarily by bombing

文法句型

atomize + noun phrase (city/target/base)

用法筆記

Domain-specific to military contexts. Almost always transitive. The passive is common in historical reports. This sense is much rarer than the other two and may sound dated or literary outside of military writing.