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 But the drought is still hitting home with record-low water levels on the Danube River disrupting grain transport, causing chronically congested terminals and an increasing pileup of crops with nowhere to go. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 While there are signs that diplomatic efforts toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz are ongoing, the over five-month-old war continues to disrupt energy flows. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026 Having a data center could also disrupt the historic feel of Waxhaw, said James Withrow. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2026 The Cyber Effects means a private company in the program could manipulate, disrupt, degrade, and even destroy IT systems, including industrial control systems, in an effort to stop hackers. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 13 Aug. 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
  • De Lutiis scored himself in the 58th, backing up in support at the perfect time after an Australian attacking raid that started with flyhalf Carter Gordon breaking the defensive line and running 30 meters toward the right corner flag.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The ship may break a record for the longest trip away from its home port for a US carrier since the Vietnam War.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • Road construction can disturb natural hydrology, said Kate Groetzinger, the communications director for the Center for Western Priorities.
    — Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • A couple of years ago, a neighbor’s trees were disturbing the view from their $3-million summer house on the coast of Maine.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • As each character assigns the snow’s meaning according to their needs, the village begins to fracture.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Margaret Shragal, Allen said, fractured her hip in a fall and was transported by air ambulance to a local hospital for surgery, but that surgery was delayed three days because of the widespread power outages.
    — Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of fracture
Verb
  • This reserve should not be confused with a permanent investment strategy.
    — Steve Booren, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The light entering my eyes would bend at two different angles, confusing my brain and making my vision a little blurry.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Vendors said enforcement sweeps that began earlier this year have threatened their livelihoods, with authorities confiscating vending equipment and, in some cases, destroying it.
    — Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One of those, the USS Gerald R Ford, also reported problems earlier this year, from toilets that weren’t working to a laundry fire that briefly stopped combat operations and destroyed some sleeping quarters.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Canden Arciniega shuffled on the hot granite terrace on a mid-August morning, counting the names on her list.
    — Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Keeping your eye on Bredeson is as hard as tracking a ball beneath shuffling cups.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • The South in particular faces higher rates of obesity and other health challenges that have further reduced the pool of eligible recruits and contributed to higher injury rates during basic training, according to service data.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The historic supply shock has also been softened by other factors, including alternative export routes out of the Gulf, China reducing its oil imports, the United States increasing production and drawdowns from global oil stockpiles.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of disrupt for Spanish Speakers

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