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
Relevance
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
The hospitality union represents roughly 2,000 workers at the arena, potentially disrupting one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
—
Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
In such a case, if the people passing the message did not have complete control of their devices, an outsider could potentially subtly change the particles’ entanglement, disrupting the communication without leaving a trace.
—Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
Rendering examines how artificial intelligence is disrupting the entertainment industry, taking you inside key battlegrounds and spotlighting change makers wielding the technology for good and ill.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Apr. 2026
The Lillusory Flowy Palazzo Pants have roomy pockets that hold your essentials without disrupting the silhouette, all while maintaining an airy, relaxed feel.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
For more than 45 years, Hublot has remained a boundary-pusher in the world of watches — with its industry-disrupting gold and rubber timepieces.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
Namira lives in East Elmhurst, where several bus stops had recently been removed, disrupting her mother’s commute to Times Square and inspiring her to action.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Cybersecurity stocks — Shares got hit again as investor fears of AI threatening cyber infrastructure and disrupting cybersecurity companies' business models reappeared.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
In such a case, if the people passing the message did not have complete control of their devices, an outsider could potentially subtly change the particles’ entanglement, disrupting the communication without leaving a trace.
—Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
Rendering examines how artificial intelligence is disrupting the entertainment industry, taking you inside key battlegrounds and spotlighting change makers wielding the technology for good and ill.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Apr. 2026
The Lillusory Flowy Palazzo Pants have roomy pockets that hold your essentials without disrupting the silhouette, all while maintaining an airy, relaxed feel.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
For more than 45 years, Hublot has remained a boundary-pusher in the world of watches — with its industry-disrupting gold and rubber timepieces.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
Namira lives in East Elmhurst, where several bus stops had recently been removed, disrupting her mother’s commute to Times Square and inspiring her to action.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Cybersecurity stocks — Shares got hit again as investor fears of AI threatening cyber infrastructure and disrupting cybersecurity companies' business models reappeared.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupting
Verb
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The ethics panel already determined that Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 violations of House rules and ethical standards, including breaking campaign finance laws.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In a country already running a third of global hydropower capacity, ambitious dam projects are breaking ground in China’s mountainous west, while the government has set its sights on pioneering next-generation technologies like nuclear fusion and green hydrogen.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Of course, no rotation shuffling is imminent with Rodón expected to make at least three rehab starts and Cole moving at a slower pace following Tommy John surgery.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The famed Rendezvous Ballroom dance floor was so packed, couples would have to do their moves in a close embrace, posture upright while doing short half steps, swiftly shuffling their feet as the partners stepped out and in, over and over, in a rhythmic swing.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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House Republicans are fracturing over a bipartisan immigration plan, a feud that serves as a microcosm of the broader battle roiling the party ahead of the midterms.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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The study suggests that what prevents communities from fracturing isn’t grand diplomacy but the everyday work of maintaining relationships.—
Ryan Brennan
April 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Then jurors heard disturbing sounds of banging — and choking, according to the Star-Telegram.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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And inside the actual pillow, there are only those air sacs, which inflate and deflate to slightly change pressure points throughout the night – silently and without disturbing your slumber, or anyone else's.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Neighbors like Vetsch off Marion Road are convinced that's what hit their neighborhood, destroying multiple homes.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Voting out the party that has been destroying our country must be our only focus.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Neptune also blurs lines, which is why its influence can feel mysterious or even confusing at times.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not all that’s confusing across the first season.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The station initially bridged the sudden budget gap last year by reaching out to donors directly and reducing costs to bring down overhead.—
Savannah Sicurella,
AJC.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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The ship suffered substantial damage, and the Reagan administration retaliated by damaging or sinking three Iranian warships and three oil platforms, drastically reducing Tehran’s ability to engage in the gulf.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Congressional leaders, wired to protect their own and afraid of upsetting their narrow margins, are famous for shrouding ethics investigations in secrecy and dragging them out for years.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
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Cade realized the players were sweating out electrolytes — another word for minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium — and upsetting the body’s chemical balance.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupting. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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