disrupt

verb dis·rupt \ dis-ˈrəpt \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

transitive verb

1 a : 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

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disrupter

noun

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disruption

play \-ˈrəp-shən\ noun

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disruptive

play \-ˈrəp-tiv\ adjective

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disruptively

adverb

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disruptiveness

noun

See disrupt defined for English-language learners

See disrupt defined for kids

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 of disrupt from the Web

The threats range from missiles that could destroy satellites by physically taking them out, to cyberattacks and even lasers and jammers that could disrupt sensors and blind the eyes and ears the Pentagon relies on in orbit.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "China and Russia are developing space weapons, bolstering case for U.S. 'Space Corps'," 13 Apr. 2018
That has prompted nationwide strikes that have disrupted train traffic, and the unions plan periodic rolling strikes through June.

— sylvie corbet, BostonGlobe.com, "Despite protests, Macron vows to press on, reform France’s economy," 12 Apr. 2018
Real-estate listings company Zillow Group Z -6.53% is getting into the business of buying and flipping homes, a risky and untested business model for the online service that could disrupt the traditional brokerage business.

— rolfe winkler, WSJ, "Zillow Intends to Buy and Flip Homes," 12 Apr. 2018
Given a 3-0 lead, Richards was unable to make it through five innings, later citing mechanical issues that are disrupting his timing and tempo.

— jeff miller, latimes.com, "Angels off to best start since 1987 after 8-3 win over Rangers," 10 Apr. 2018
Nerve agents are chemicals that disrupt the messages sent by from the nerves to the body's organs.

— Bloomberg.com, "Russian Ex-Spy Case Needs ‘Cool Head,’ British Minister Says," 3 Apr. 2018
Many of the eruptions produced towering clouds of ash more than six kilometers (20,000 feet) high that disrupted air travel throughout the region.

— author: jim paulin, Anchorage Daily News, "Bogoslof volcano makes audio history," 2 Apr. 2018
With a joyous but somber feel, the event marked a change in tone from the protests that have disrupted the capital city's downtown.

— CBS News, "Autopsy disputing police account of Stephon Clark shooting sparks anger," 31 Mar. 2018
With a joyous but somber feel, the event marked a change in tone from the protests that have disrupted the capital city’s downtown.

— Time, "Autopsy Disputing Police Account of Stephon Clark Shooting Prompts Anger," 30 Mar. 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.