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

Holiday travelers in the United States avoiding widespread disruptive weather ahead of Thanksgiving might not be so fortunate during their post-holiday journeys. —Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025

The busiest holiday travel day commonly falls on Wednesday, making the current weather forecasts particularly disruptive. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

Wintry weather This map shows the relative severity and potential disruptive impact of winter weather in the next 24 hours. —Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 26 Nov. 2025

Overton already excels as a run-stopper, and can be disruptive as a pass-rusher, but his approach to rushing the passer needs polish. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 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