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

In the past few years, music artists have noted that fan behavior at concerts has become more disruptive and dangerous. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 13 Nov. 2025

Left unchecked, internal and external bullies in business will only become bolder and more disruptive. —Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025

The team was excluded from an October race in Italy, the Giro dell'Emilia, because of concerns over potentially disruptive pro-Palestine protests. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Children who haven’t had enough to eat are much more likely to be disruptive or despondent in the classroom, Slavens said. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 13 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