disturbed

adjective

dis·​turbed di-ˈstərbd How to pronounce disturbed (audio)
1
: experiencing or exhibiting emotional disturbance or agitation : having a mental disability or illness
… the San Francisco police department, for example, handles 18,000 calls involving emotionally disturbed citizens every year.Newsweek
2
a
: characterized or affected by interference, alteration, or disruption
restoration of disturbed habitats
disturbed sleep
b
: departing or deviating from a normal condition : marked by impairment
disturbed glucose metabolism
a disturbed gait

Examples of disturbed in a Sentence

He seems very disturbed about his work lately.
Recent Examples on the Web Several bodycam videos show police officers ending foot chases and taking down emotionally disturbed gunmen after shots rang out by wrapping them in wires from a distance. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2024 When our circadian rhythm is disturbed, our sleep is impacted. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 In 2021, state lawmakers got rid of permitting requirements for Class I wetlands, the lowest quality wetlands, which are in relatively disturbed areas. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2024 The first photo from the Peregrine lander showed a disturbed section of insulation, likely caused by a propulsion failure. Denise Chow, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024 In one meeting, according to the source, Wade was involved in discussions about the Atlanta spa shooting case in which eight people were allegedly shot to death by a disturbed 21-year old gunman. Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2024 Samantha Eggar plays Nola, a mentally disturbed woman who is undergoing a controversial form of therapy under Dr. Hal Raglan (Oliver Reed). Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023 In the novel, a disturbed, overtly political man kidnaps various authority figures, handcuffs them to poles in rotting Fort Ord buildings and engages in Beckettian dialogue about humanity and philosophy. Sam McManis, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 The 25-centimeter-tall weed is fond of disturbed land, field edges and the shoulders of roads. Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disturbed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of disturbed was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near disturbed

Cite this Entry

“Disturbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturbed. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

disturbed

adjective
dis·​turbed
dis-ˈtərbd
: showing signs of mental or emotional illness

Medical Definition

disturbed

adjective
dis·​turbed dis-ˈtərbd How to pronounce disturbed (audio)
1
: experiencing or exhibiting emotional disturbance or agitation : having a mental disability or illness
Emotionally disturbed students over a long period of time and to a marked degree exhibit such characteristics as a general pervasive mood of depression, a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems or an inability to learn.Rodney Tanaka, San Gabriel Valley (California) Tribune
2
a
: characterized or affected by alteration or disruption
disturbed sleep
b
: departing or deviating from a normal condition : marked by impairment
disturbed glucose metabolism
a disturbed gait
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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