disturbs; disturbed; disturbing
1
: to stop (someone) from working, sleeping, etc. : to interrupt or bother (someone or something)
I'm sorry to disturb you at such a late hour.
She doesn't want to be disturbed while she's working.
Don't disturb the baby when he's sleeping.
The noise disturbed my concentration.
The sign on the door said Do not disturb. [=do not bother the people in the room]
They were arrested for disturbing the peace. [=behaving in a violent or noisy manner in public]
2
: to worry or upset (someone)
The news disturbed [=distressed] him.
His behavior disturbs me.
—often used as (be) disturbedI am disturbed at/by his behavior.
She was disturbed to learn that her son was failing one of his classes.
3
: to change the position, arrangement, or order of (something)
The police ordered that nothing be disturbed in the room. [=that nothing be touched or moved]
His visit disturbed [=disrupted] our morning routine.
Cite this Entry
“Disturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/disturb. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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