disrupt

verb

dis·rupt | \dis-ˈrəpt

Definition of disrupt

1a : to break apart : rupture three periods of faulting disrupted the rocks — University of Arizona Record

b : to throw into disorder demonstrators trying to disrupt the meeting

2 : to interrupt the normal course or unity of … disrupted a bridge game by permanently hiding up the ace of spades …— Scott Fitzgerald can disrupt an industry with new technology

Other Words from disrupt Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about disrupt

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Other Words from disrupt

disrupter also disruptor noun

disruption \ -ˈrəp-shən

\ noun

disruptive \ -ˈrəp-tiv

\ adjective

disruptively adverb

disruptiveness noun

Examples of disrupt in a Sentence

The barking dogs disrupted my sleep. The weather disrupted our travel plans. a chemical that disrupts cell function

Recent Examples on the Web

In March 1973, a series of strikes by computer workers, acting in solidarity with other government workers, closed down a whopping 26 computer centers, and disrupted the work of nine others, striking at the nation’s very ability to function. — Marie Hicks, The Verge, "The long history behind the Google Walkout," 9 Nov. 2018 But obstacles, junctions and changes in the size of the pipe or highway disrupt the flow and have progressive knock-on effects. — Eugenia Cheng, WSJ, "Going With the Flow of Traffic," 9 Nov. 2018 That same year, a research group at Oxford University reported that playing Tetris could reduce the impact of viewing traumatic scenes, perhaps because the game disrupts retention of painful memories. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Study: Tetris is a great distraction for easing an anxious mind," 2 Nov. 2018 That trend will continue on Sunday, when the Broncos’ pass rush will disrupt Russell Wilson and the Seahawk secondary will be tested as well. — The Seattle Times, "Pick 'Em," 28 Oct. 2018 Last winter, deicing fluid infiltrated some of the antennas and disrupted Wi-Fi service on board. — Ally Marotti, chicagotribune.com, "Gogo lays off 55 as it seeks to turn around struggling in-flight Wi-Fi business," 13 July 2018 While this is a correlation rather than a causation, another study found that taking a substance called haloperidol, which disrupts dopamine’s effects within the brain, led to a measurable decrease in sensation seeking behaviour. — Richard Stephens, Smithsonian, "The History and Psychology of Roller Coasters," 12 July 2018 The undiagnosed condition is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, which disrupts normal blood flow. — Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Ladonnis Griffin's biggest play ever at Lakota West was a GoFundMe page," 12 July 2018 The loans are marketed by Northgate but actually made by Insikt, a San Francisco firm that argues the change would help working families and small-time entrepreneurs while disrupting California’s increasingly expensive market for personal loans. — James Rufus Koren, latimes.com, "Latest battle over California lending market: Should grocery stores offer large loans?," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disrupt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.