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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of disrupting
Canvas, a learning management platform used by thousands of schools and universities, was down for hours on May 7 after a cyberattack, disrupting access to grades and coursework during spring finals season for many.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Iranian military did not say how exactly the vessel, which has since changed its name to Jin Li, was disrupting its oil exports.
—CBS News, 8 May 2026
Rescuers, including disaster officers and traffic police, evacuated victims and cleared the wreckage, though several were pinned inside the vehicles, complicating rescue efforts and disrupting traffic along the highway, Margono said.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
Most peppered their answers with biographical details and accomplishments, while focusing their attacks on rivals with an eye to disrupting the latest poll positions.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 May 2026
Geopolitical conflicts—most notably wars in Iran and Ukraine—are rampant, pushing up shipping costs, disrupting supply chains, and complicating the movement of materials into Europe.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
As part of its National Defense Strategy announced in January — a sweeping document laying out a vision on everything from deterring China to defending against cyberattacks to disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions — the administration said Europe must do more for its own defense.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 1 May 2026
And that means disrupting the conditions mosquito larvae need to survive.
—Ryan Brennan
april 30, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Iranian military did not say how exactly the vessel, which has since changed its name to Jin Li, was disrupting its oil exports.
—CBS News, 8 May 2026
Rescuers, including disaster officers and traffic police, evacuated victims and cleared the wreckage, though several were pinned inside the vehicles, complicating rescue efforts and disrupting traffic along the highway, Margono said.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
Most peppered their answers with biographical details and accomplishments, while focusing their attacks on rivals with an eye to disrupting the latest poll positions.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 May 2026
Geopolitical conflicts—most notably wars in Iran and Ukraine—are rampant, pushing up shipping costs, disrupting supply chains, and complicating the movement of materials into Europe.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
As part of its National Defense Strategy announced in January — a sweeping document laying out a vision on everything from deterring China to defending against cyberattacks to disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions — the administration said Europe must do more for its own defense.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 1 May 2026
And that means disrupting the conditions mosquito larvae need to survive.
—Ryan Brennan
april 30, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupting
Verb
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Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Everything now centered on his homecoming, when the family would celebrate by breaking the dawn-to-dusk fast of Ramadan with a feast.—
Dan Barry,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Facebook groups and other online communities have sprung up around shuffling, allowing expats navigating all sorts of situations to compare notes and share strategies.—
Carole Rosenblat,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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But sometimes, simply shuffling the pieces can help, in our view.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Paranoia, greed, and suspicion among the squad follow, fracturing their loyalty and soon eroding any remaining trust.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
April 21, 1976, when Porter was paralyzed after fracturing his neck in a collision during spring practice.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
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In too many corporations, AI strategy is delegated to a chief AI officer or an innovation lab, organizational constructs designed to signal progress without disturbing the existing power structure.—
Drew Cukor,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
Avoid disturbing the nest or getting too close afterwards.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Verb
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In the team's binary merger model, the compact object is close enough to its stellar companion to rip off its outer hydrogen layer without completely destroying the star.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
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The fires hit close to home, destroying both Pratt’s Pacific Palisades residence and his parents’ home.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The Elegoo Jupiter 2 3D printer shows flashes of excellence with its massive build volume and striking print quality, but uneven automation, confusing UI menus, and a still-maturing workflow limit its appeal.—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
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Amanda Peet has had people confusing her for Lake Bell at restaurants, airports, red carpets and everywhere in between.—
Laura Lane,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately, facilities at public parks and libraries close at nightfall, greatly reducing the number of bathrooms available.—
Michael Perkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
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In the surgical procedure, a v-shape of the lower lid is removed thereby shortening the area and reducing the defect.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Skinner became part of a Padres controversy in 1978 when founding Padres president Buzzie Bavasi hired Skinner to be the hitting coach of the California Angels, upsetting Padres owner Ray Kroc.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 May 2026
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The Panama government seized the canal’s ports from the company in February, greatly upsetting China.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupting. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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