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
Meanwhile, compounding pharmacies that sell cheaper knockoffs of these products are disrupting the marketplace.
—
Christopher Rowland The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Since Iran attacked several oil tankers following the start of the war in late February, nearly all shipping traffic through the strait has halted, disrupting global oil markets.
—Victor Ordonez, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Long security lines tied to Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages are disrupting spring break travel nationwide.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Fertilizer prices have soared since the Iran war began at the end of February and led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to most shipping, disrupting urea and sulphur supplies from the Gulf.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Frustration is simmering among parents who say their young children are spending too much classroom time online, disrupting their learning and development at a critical time and clashing with stricter screen restrictions at home.
—Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Countries like China and India rely on this gas, and this is already disrupting fertilizer and plastic production, NPR's Aya Batrawy tells Up First.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Late last year, a 43-day government-wide shutdown, the longest in US history, ended after many TSA officers and Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers stopped showing up to work, disrupting travel.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Iran itself is destroying homes and schools, killing and wounding dozens, and disrupting daily life, sometimes beyond recognition.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Christopher Rowland The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Since Iran attacked several oil tankers following the start of the war in late February, nearly all shipping traffic through the strait has halted, disrupting global oil markets.
—Victor Ordonez, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Long security lines tied to Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages are disrupting spring break travel nationwide.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Fertilizer prices have soared since the Iran war began at the end of February and led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to most shipping, disrupting urea and sulphur supplies from the Gulf.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Frustration is simmering among parents who say their young children are spending too much classroom time online, disrupting their learning and development at a critical time and clashing with stricter screen restrictions at home.
—Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Countries like China and India rely on this gas, and this is already disrupting fertilizer and plastic production, NPR's Aya Batrawy tells Up First.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Late last year, a 43-day government-wide shutdown, the longest in US history, ended after many TSA officers and Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers stopped showing up to work, disrupting travel.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Iran itself is destroying homes and schools, killing and wounding dozens, and disrupting daily life, sometimes beyond recognition.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupting
Verb
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Oxygen cylinders on the vehicles exploded, breaking windows in an adjacent apartment block.—
KRUTIKA PATHI,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So what better way to cap all that off than closing out the Oscars — even if the clip played while the audience was shuffling out of the theater and calling their Ubers.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
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At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a CNN reporter saw chaotic scenes, with passengers shuffling from line to line.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The building’s limestone and stucco exterior is badly cracked, and four of the Corinthian pillars in the colonnade are close to fracturing.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
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And the fight over the SAVE America Act seems to be fracturing the GOP at the moment.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Though the individual data points may have been reported already, this edition contains more detailed and disturbing information about the climate than any before.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
23 Mar. 2026
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The charges include alleged activity on social media, sending content to foreign media outlets, espionage and disturbing public order, HRANA said before adding that its count was based on official reports.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The man, purportedly Weis, who is now in police custody, was discovered late Monday night by security after hearing reports of someone destroying glass sculptures on the grounds.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
20 Mar. 2026
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The regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran is massacring young people and destroying Iran’s future.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Since the Affordable Care Act subsidies expired at the end of 2025, Americans have undoubtedly been encountering a great deal of confusing information surrounding health care costs and insurance plans.—
Jamie Hartmann-Boyce,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2026
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There was the shutdown in the fall, staff layoffs, confusing guidance for grant reviewers, and delays getting out the notices for funding opportunities.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
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Congress has been reducing these benefits, and there is no doubt that benefits will be reduced in the future with possible increases in taxes.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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McNeese secured a March Madness bid by upsetting SFA in the Southland conference tournament, winning the school’s third consecutive Southland championship.—
Ryan Brennan
March 16,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
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McNeese secured a March Madness bid by upsetting SFA in the Southland Conference Tournament.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupting. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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