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

Hand-in-hand with this is being disruptive in the beauty space. —Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025

Headaches are among the most relatable of human complaints – and one of the most disruptive. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025

In Ampadu’s absence, Ilia Gruev is the most natural, and least disruptive, replacement as the anchor in midfield. —Beren Cross, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025

Abram said the yardwork was disruptive and noisy at all hours of the day and had at one point led to a fire. —Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 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