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
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
-
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold case investigations and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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The passengers include the requisite obnoxious jerk, Dan (Angus Sampson), already throwing his weight around and breaking no-smoking rules at LAX.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There was major line shuffling overall by Cooper on this night.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
YoshimiO, sharing fellow ’90s icon Flea’s recent interest in the instrument, turns in a credible trumpet line during the track’s shuffling, exuberant second half.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Germany is planning to boost defense spending to reach new NATO targets well ahead of schedule, seeking to bolster self-reliance amid fracturing ties with the US.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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But for now, Mendoza argues, the monarchy’s purpose is not governance, but access to the king, which may still have a chance to keep the relationship from fracturing beyond repair.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In addition, local inland wetland agencies may have stricter regulations on planting, disturbing or controlling specific invasive plants in sensitive areas within their town.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
-
Remaining quiet and respectful increases the chances of observing bears in their natural habitat without disturbing them.—
Debbie Olsen,
Travel + Leisure,
2 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 11 May. 2026.
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