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

Shepard Fisher, a new student member of the State Board of Education from Maloney High School in Meriden, said students have come around to the idea of a bell-to-bell ban and recognize how disruptive cellphones are in school. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026

The news quickly spread as yet another harbinger of AI’s promise—or threat—of outpacing humans to become a dominant, disruptive force in math and computer science. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026

As extreme weather becomes more common and disruptive, the effects can impair relationships, interrupt routines and communication, and damage gathering places and the foundations of community traditions. — Fiona Doherty, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026

The pieces are designed to be handy but not disruptive to your kitchen aesthetic, including a powerful stand mixer that can be left out on the counter. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026

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