Atomized

The adjective 'atomized' describes something that has been broken down into tiny, individual parts, or rendered into separate, often isolated, units. This can apply literally to physical substances, where a material is reduced to a fine spray or dust. Figuratively, it can describe the fragmentation of something larger, like a society, a workforce, or a belief system, leading to a state of disconnectedness and lack of cohesion. The process emphasizes separation and individualization, contrasting with the concept of wholeness or integration.

Atomized meaning with examples

• The industrial process atomized the liquid paint, creating a fine mist that coated the car evenly. This efficient method ensured a smooth and consistent finish. The result was a beautiful car with an even finish and no blotches. The factory used atomized paints for everything.
• The sociologist observed how consumerism atomized social relationships, as individuals focused more on material possessions than community bonds. People found that their relationships had been strained by this constant push for consumerism, leaving them alone. They had nothing but their things.
• The research revealed that the once cohesive team had been atomized by internal conflicts and communication breakdowns. They simply could not work together as team. Each member focused on themselves.
• After the political upheaval, the country’s sense of national identity became atomized, with diverse factions prioritizing their own interests. They could not even agree on the basics of the country. There was no togetherness.
• The old photograph showed a world, atomized by war, where the simplest interactions were fraught with suspicion and fear. The world would never be the same, after the conflicts. People had difficulty trusting one another after this war.