1
as in to break
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
an earthquake that had disrupted the elevated highway in several places
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disturb
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the arrival of a baby in the household would totally disrupt their established routine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disrupt
The sudden change can disrupt your body’s internal clock, leaving you tired in the morning, wide awake at night and sluggish throughout the day.
—
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Electricity and communications services are still disrupted in most of the region.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
The second clip from The Activist goes inside a planning meeting of right-wing activists looking to disrupt an LGBTQ+ march.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Thanks to swift action and coordination with our partners, a violent plot tied to international terrorism was disrupted.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Electricity and communications services are still disrupted in most of the region.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
The second clip from The Activist goes inside a planning meeting of right-wing activists looking to disrupt an LGBTQ+ march.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Thanks to swift action and coordination with our partners, a violent plot tied to international terrorism was disrupted.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupt
Verb
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His most recent stop before Arkansas was in Baltimore, Maryland, as a night and breaking news editor.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
-
With eight catches for 129 yards, the third-year player remains on pace to break the NFL’s single-season record for receiving yards (1,964 by Calvin Johnson in 2012).—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For instance, Bella's first meeting with Edward in their biology class is supposed to be this unnerving moment, where Bella is disturbed by Edward's apparent repulsion toward her.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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A lot of disturbing things happened in The Exorcist — Regan MacNeil's 360 neck turn remains one of the most diabolical things to happen on film — and for its innovations, the 1973 movie scored 10 Oscar nominations.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Skattebo dislocated his ankle, fractured his fibula and ruptured his deltoid ligament on the play in question, all of which will combine to sideline him for the remainder of the regular season.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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His work weaves together science, ancient training and healing systems, and the fighting arts to examine how systems — whether human bodies or family enterprises — fracture under pressure or transform because of it.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her daughter was confused, and eventually asked Nasser for an explanation as to what had been said.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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At her spring show, Marie-Adam Leenaerdt brought back the style, but her shiny spandex stocking version ensures no one confuses the look for child’s play.—
Laia Garcia-Furtado,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Just under two million Palestinians—virtually the entire population of Gaza—have been displaced since October 2023, many repeatedly, and Israeli forces have damaged or destroyed more than 90 percent of homes in the Strip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Teddy is a conspiracy theorist who believes Michelle is an alien hellbent on destroying Earth.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Smith steadied a Dodgers team constantly shuffling the top of its lineup and searching for the right matchups from its bullpen.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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The two are lost in time in the halls of the White Octopus Hotel, shuffling through 1935 and 2015 London in hopes of a second chance.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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October has seen 93 blank sailings, up from 58 in September, according to data from maritime research firm Drewry, with container capacity reduced by roughly 7 percent month over month.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
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By cutting the cost and complexity of closings, the company hopes to expand access to homeownership, reduce fraud, and help smaller regional title firms compete with national giants.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Team defense still appears disorganized, despite standout individual moments and performances.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Oct. 2025
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Psychologists recognize four main styles of attachment: secure, avoidant, anxious, and disorganized.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupt. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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