verb

break up into small parts as the result of impact or decay.

our shoes had to last until they disintegrated on our feet

break up,break apart,fall apart,fall to pieces,fall to bits,fragment,fracture,shatter,splinter,rupture,explode,blow up,blow apart,fly apart,crumble,dissolve,collapse,founder,fail,decline,go downhill,go to rack and ruin,degenerate,deteriorate,bust,be smashed to smithereens,shiver,break down,decompose,decay,rot,moulder,perish,corrode