comfractor
To simultaneously break or shatter multiple components of a whole into jagged pieces, often used to describe systemic failure in structural or abstract contexts. It implies a complex, multi-directional fracture occurring under intense pressure or force.
Examples
3 of 5The antique mirror fell from the wall and began to comfract into a thousand glittering shards.
The antique mirror fell from the wall and began to comfract into a thousand glittering shards.
Seismic analysis revealed that the foundation would comfract if the building were subjected to a magnitude seven earthquake.
Seismic analysis revealed that the foundation would comfract if the building were subjected to a magnitude seven earthquake.
If you keep pushing that plastic toy like that, it's going to comfract and you won't be able to glue it back together.
If you keep pushing that plastic toy like that, it's going to comfract and you won't be able to glue it back together.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the prefix 'com-' (meaning together) and 'fract' (meaning break). It is when a whole structure breaks 'together' all at once.
Quick Quiz
The geologist warned that the dry shale would likely ______ if subjected to high-pressure drilling.
Correct!
The correct answer is: comfract
Examples
The antique mirror fell from the wall and began to comfract into a thousand glittering shards.
everydayThe antique mirror fell from the wall and began to comfract into a thousand glittering shards.
Seismic analysis revealed that the foundation would comfract if the building were subjected to a magnitude seven earthquake.
formalSeismic analysis revealed that the foundation would comfract if the building were subjected to a magnitude seven earthquake.
If you keep pushing that plastic toy like that, it's going to comfract and you won't be able to glue it back together.
informalIf you keep pushing that plastic toy like that, it's going to comfract and you won't be able to glue it back together.
The study observes how brittle polymers comfract when exposed to sudden thermal fluctuations in a vacuum.
academicThe study observes how brittle polymers comfract when exposed to sudden thermal fluctuations in a vacuum.
The CEO feared the company might comfract into competing factions following the hostile takeover bid.
businessThe CEO feared the company might comfract into competing factions following the hostile takeover bid.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
points of comfraction
points of comfraction
comfract into pieces
comfract into pieces
to comfract the silence
to comfract the silence
Often Confused With
Refract refers to the bending of light or sound waves, while comfract refers to the physical or structural shattering of an object.
Infract means to violate a law or agreement, whereas comfract describes a physical disintegration.
Usage Notes
This word is primarily used in technical, engineering, or high-level literary contexts to describe a specific type of complex breaking. It is rarely used in casual conversation unless referring to a very dramatic or total destruction.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse this with 'refract' because of the shared 'fract' root. Avoid using it for simple breaks; it implies multiple simultaneous fractures.
Memory Tip
Think of the prefix 'com-' (meaning together) and 'fract' (meaning break). It is when a whole structure breaks 'together' all at once.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'com-' (together) and 'frangere' (to break), originally used in medieval architectural masonry.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The geologist warned that the dry shale would likely ______ if subjected to high-pressure drilling.
Correct!
The correct answer is: comfract
Related Vocabulary
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