disruptive

adjective

dis·​rup·​tive dis-ˈrəp-tiv How to pronounce disruptive (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jarvis is an effectively disruptive element on the wing who continues to add to his offensive toolkit. The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 But true, disruptive innovation comes from asking a question no one has asked before. Marco Argenti, Time, 2 Oct. 2025 Other disruptive technologies of the future could dent their incline. Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025 But Medicare brokers who help seniors enroll in plans say this could be one of the most disruptive enrollment periods in more than a decade. Annika Kim Constantino,bertha Coombs, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disruptive

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disruptive was in 1827

Cite this Entry

“Disruptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruptive. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

disruptive

adjective
dis·​rup·​tive dis-ˈrəp-tiv How to pronounce disruptive (audio)
: characterized by psychologically disorganized behavior
a confused, incoherent, and disruptive patient in the manic phase

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