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disrupt

verb

dis-ˈrəpt How to pronounce disrupt (audio)
Definition of disruptnext
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

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.
Recent Examples of disrupt Research has found that closures disrupt students’ academic progress, while generating little short-term savings for districts. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 The purchase came on the heels of a fire and just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which disrupted operations, court records show. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 For researchers, that would reduce the risk of another funding cutoff disrupting their work while the broader legal battle continues. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 A change at home could disrupt your sense of ease today. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupt
  1. break
  2. disturb
  3. fracture
  4. confuse
  5. destroy
  6. shuffle
  7. reduce
  8. disorganize
Verb
  • Launched in 2004, the $364 million observatory is designed to pivot quickly -- as its name suggests -- to capture gamma ray bursts, exploding stars and other fast-breaking cosmic action.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • San Juanico has experienced late summer storms, but Polo feels different, said Jeffrey Westman, an American who was first drawn to the town’s world-class surf break 40 years ago and owns a property there.
    — Eugene Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • Both areas are fenced and protected, and NOAA Fisheries urged beachgoers not to disturb these sites.
    — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Combs has both utilized and weaponized his fortune, industry status, and reputation to hide a volatile temper and disturbing behavior for decades.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • As grief turns to accusation, Warmooge’s mother refuses burial without justice, and the village fractures under the weight of uncertainty and pressure to resolve the truth.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This natural inversion destroys leadership, fractures relationships and halts self-improvement.
    — Brendan Keegan, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of fracture
Verb
  • Enjoy the encouragement, but do not confuse applause with commitment.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026
  • If an employee wants clarity, it shouldn’t automatically be confused with hand-holding.
    — Jeff LeBlanc, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Just this man, essentially destroying himself while his friend watched.
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The European Union’s ban on destroying unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear began applying to large companies July 19.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs — both gearing up for the playoffs during the final weekend of the regular Major League Baseball season — had to shuffle the schedule for their three-game series.
    — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The longtime headquarters of CBS News’s most hallowed properties—60 Minutes and Inside Edition—was recently hollowed out in a Paramount acquisition that saw personalities and producers shuffled to a center across the street.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Between announcements, conversations, engine noise, and everything else happening around you, reducing these additional sounds can make a long travel day much more comfortable.
    — Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In fact, a 2025 study found that 28 percent of people with telogen effluvium had reduced ferritin levels, while no one in the control group had a deficiency.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Reese finished with 12 rebounds, but Thornton made her work for every touch near the basket, consistently positioning herself to contest without fouling and keeping Atlanta’s interior offense disorganized throughout the first three quarters.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • Atlanta doesn’t have a true point guard at the moment in its post-Trae Young incarnation, and the second units in particular could look disorganized.
    — The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Definition of disorganize

Browse Nearby Words

disrobing
disrupt
disrupted
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Cite this Entry

“Disrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupt. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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