1
as in breaking
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 shuffling
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 disrupting
Impeding and disrupting the performance of official duties of government employees.
—
Julia Coin
february 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Alarm over health harms accelerates Concern over the risks of flame retardants, heavy metals, pesticides and endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic hormones in the body has been growing as more studies point to serious health impacts.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Opponents of the injunction include the Inland Ports and Navigation Group, which says increasing spill to benefit fish can hinder navigation, disrupting the flow of commerce and hurt the economy.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
There’s also the issue of uprooting the children and disrupting their lives and schooling.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2026
However, the stock dropped in after-hours trading as investors remained anxious about the potential of AI disrupting traditional enterprise software companies.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Unrest followed, disrupting flights and prompting directions for tourists and locals to shelter in place.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Tom Lee of Fundstrat has been frequently citing the invention of flash-frozen food in the early 1900s as fundamentally disrupting the farming sector, which took farming as a share of jobs from 30% to 40% down to just 2% to 5%, but the economy reallocated value elsewhere.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
The guest list is high-profile enough that the street in front of the building, a main artery in the city, is cordoned off for the entire evening, disrupting tram service, and dozens of police officers are stationed outside.
—Valeriya Safronova, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Julia Coin
february 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Alarm over health harms accelerates Concern over the risks of flame retardants, heavy metals, pesticides and endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic hormones in the body has been growing as more studies point to serious health impacts.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Opponents of the injunction include the Inland Ports and Navigation Group, which says increasing spill to benefit fish can hinder navigation, disrupting the flow of commerce and hurt the economy.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
There’s also the issue of uprooting the children and disrupting their lives and schooling.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2026
However, the stock dropped in after-hours trading as investors remained anxious about the potential of AI disrupting traditional enterprise software companies.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Unrest followed, disrupting flights and prompting directions for tourists and locals to shelter in place.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Tom Lee of Fundstrat has been frequently citing the invention of flash-frozen food in the early 1900s as fundamentally disrupting the farming sector, which took farming as a share of jobs from 30% to 40% down to just 2% to 5%, but the economy reallocated value elsewhere.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
The guest list is high-profile enough that the street in front of the building, a main artery in the city, is cordoned off for the entire evening, disrupting tram service, and dozens of police officers are stationed outside.
—Valeriya Safronova, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupting
Verb
-
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The first and only previous time someone was charged with breaking this law happened in April 2021.—
Jay Weaver,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The shuffling sound quickened and the puzzlers’ hands sped up.—
Lia Picard,
AJC.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Some line shuffling by Warsofsky worked.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That one second of low-visibility ended with Schultz hitting the ground hard and fracturing his knee.—
Jonathan Carone,
Parents,
3 Mar. 2026
-
British politics today is steadily fracturing into multiple parties, no longer two or even three.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The 12 villas come with a living room, a separate bedroom, and kitchen stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks from the mini bar, a pre-dinner amuse bouche from the chef each evening, and a patio with a separate entrance for staffers to set up morning breakfast without disturbing you.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Set in the 1990s, the film centers on a young FBI agent (Maika Monroe) who investigates a series of disturbing murders connected by highly specific commonalities.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One woman, in her 30s, had been hit by bird shot at close range, destroying the roof of her mouth and the area around her nose and below her eyes, the surgeon recalled.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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On Monday, a judge issued a temporary restraining order that presumably prevents the defendants from altering or destroying any evidence at the refinery.—
Patrick Danner,
San Antonio Express-News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The reason is that missing information and others’ gaslighting are confusing your mind.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
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According to Sara Nibler, a recruiter at Redballoon who places candidates in roles ranging from manufacturing to media, job seekers are increasingly confusing the convenience of Zoom with an excuse to abandon basic professional etiquette.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Mar. 2026
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That deal, which required Iran to limit its nuclear program by, among other things, cutting enrichment levels and reducing centrifuges, took effect in 2016 and was due to expire 10 years after it was adopted.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Getting out of the second round and then upsetting North Carolina is Virginia Tech’s best bet to ensure a bid.—
Eden Laase,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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The girls final drew the largest individual game crowd at Toyota Arena, with Sierra Canyon and All-American Jerzy Robinson upsetting Ontario Christian and All-American Kaleena Smith 69-62.—
Eric Sondheimer
Columnist
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupting. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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