disruptive

adjective

dis·​rup·​tive dis-ˈrəp-tiv 

: disrupting or tending to disrupt some process, activity, condition, etc. : causing or tending to cause disruption

a disruptive weather pattern

It is hoped that, if the child learns that disruptive behavior brings no rewards, his tantrums will diminish and perhaps stop.

—Susan Sheehan

In recent years, airlines began to carry plastic handcuffs as a way to restrain disruptive passengers.

—Erik Holm

Other teammates marvel at how easily he morphs from a mild-mannered family man in the locker room into a disruptive force on the field.

—Jefri Chadiha

disruptively adverb

acting disruptively

disruptiveness noun

… the disruptiveness of climatic change will depend strongly on the rate of change.

—Roger Revelle

Examples of disruptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On April 24, UT students began their protests and were met by dozens of police officers called by the university, which feared the protests would escalate into disruptive encampments like those rippling across the nation. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Since launching in March, this disruptive new platform has already brought in $350 million. —Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

This program wasn’t in response to any particular teen gathering, Lefko said, but aims to prevent large disruptive teen gatherings. —Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025

Germany's Volkswagen on Friday lowered its full-year guidance and reported a sharp drop in second-quarter profit, as the auto giant navigates the disruptive impact of U.S. tariffs. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 25 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disruptive

• eruptive

Medical Definition

disruptive

adjective

dis·​rup·​tive dis-ˈrəp-tiv 

: characterized by psychologically disorganized behavior

a confused, incoherent, and disruptive patient in the manic phase