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

The measure’s failure could worsen the financial outlook for both the city and school district, which viewed Measure V as a way to boost funding and avoid disruptive budget cuts. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

Charged with establishing the firm as one of the more disruptive in the SE. —Dean Trevelino, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Two days later, after the Knicks won Game 4 of the series in dramatic fashion, police took 56 people into custody when another crowd became rowdy and disruptive, according to police. —Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Failing to follow crew instructions or engaging in violent or disruptive behavior can result in legal consequences and serious fines. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

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