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

Activities such as global shipping, seismic airgun surveys for oil and gas, offshore construction and drilling, and the emerging threat of deep-sea mining now flood the seas with constant, disruptive sound. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025

Indeed, the new world order is in a state of disruptive flux that promises years of growing pains. —John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025

Early Wednesday, activists launched small but disruptive actions, closing off key ring roads in Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes and Caen. —Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

From the disruptive rise of AI and Generative AI to macroeconomic instability, geopolitical tension, supply chain fragility and cyber threats, existential risks are now part of everyday strategy. —Edyta Pacuk, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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