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

Here are the highlights: Airbnb employs technology to assess the risk of guests throwing disruptive parties, focusing on factors like last-minute bookings and guest history. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 4 July 2025

And the masked visitor — very disruptive, and on another level that is more far reaching than Ainsley last year. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 3 July 2025

Some said the district should have allowed opt-outs, while others said a broad parental opt-out right could be disruptive. —Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 3 July 2025

Republican lawmakers also approved a new remote voting option for House members who have been repeatedly ruled out of order, or disruptive, in the chamber. —Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 2 July 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