dissipate

/ˌdɪsəˈpeɪt/

/ˈdɪsɪpeɪt/

Other forms: dissipated; dissipating; dissipates

To dissipate is to disperse or fade away — as a bad smell will dissipate (usually) if you wait long enough.

Dissipate can also mean “spend or use wastefully.” If you win the lottery, you might suddenly find yourself with a group of new friends encouraging you to dissipate your money (on them). Note that dissipate can be used with or without an object: "Once you dissipate your wealth, your new group of friends will dissipate without a trace."

Definitions of dissipate

1. verb

   cause to separate and go in different directions
   synonyms: break up, dispel, disperse, scatter

   types:

   disband

   cause to break up or cease to function

   type of:

   divide, separate

   make a division or separation
2. verb

   move away from each other
   synonyms: disperse, scatter, spread out

   types:

   aerosolise, aerosolize

   become dispersed as an aerosol

   break

   scatter or part

   volley

   be dispersed in a volley

   type of:

   part, separate, split

   go one's own way; move apart
3. verb

   go away or disappear
   synonyms: clear

   type of:

   disappear, go away, vanish

   become invisible or unnoticeable
4. verb

   spend frivolously and unwisely
   synonyms: fool, fool away, fritter, fritter away, frivol away, shoot

   type of:

   consume, squander, ware, waste

   spend extravagantly
5. verb

   live a life of pleasure, especially with respect to alcoholic consumption
   type of:

   live

   lead a certain kind of life; live in a certain style