disturb

dis·turb

verb \di-ˈstərb\

Definition of DISTURB

transitive verb

1

a : to interfere with : interrupt <disturbing the flow of traffic>

b : to alter the position or arrangement of <the items on her desk had been disturbed>

c : to upset the natural and especially the ecological balance or relations of <wetlands disturbed by development>

2

a : to destroy the tranquillity or composure of <the noisy lawnmower disturbed their sleep>

b : to throw into disorder

c : alarm

d : to put to inconvenience <sorry to disturb you at such a late hour>

intransitive verb

: to cause disturbance

— dis·turb·er noun

— dis·turb·ing·ly \-ˈstər-biŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of DISTURB

1. I'm sorry to disturb you at such a late hour.
2. She doesn't want to be disturbed while she's working.
3. Don't disturb the baby when he's sleeping.
4. The noise disturbed my concentration.

Origin of DISTURB

Middle English disturben, destourben, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French destorber, from Latin disturbare, from dis- + turbare to throw into disorder, from turba disorder — more at turbid

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISTURB

Synonyms

agitate, ail, alarm (also alarum), bother, concern, derail, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distemper, distract, distress, exercise, flurry, frazzle, freak (out), fuss, hagride, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, weird out, worry

Antonyms

calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Related Words

aggravate, anger, annoy, bug, chafe, chivy (or chivvy), exasperate, fret, gall, get, grate, harass, harry, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put off, put out, rile, vex; bedevil, haunt, plague; abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, jar, mortify, nonplus, rattle, shake up; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, unnerve

Near Antonyms

allay, alleviate, assuage; appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, propitiate

See Synonym Discussion at discompose

Rhymes with DISTURB

acerb, adverb, exurb, perturb, potherb, pro-verb, proverb, reverb, suburb, superb