disruption

noun

dis-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce disruption (audio)
Definition of disruptionnext
as in disturbance
an act or instance of the order of things being disturbed the flat tire resulted in an unfortunate disruption of the schedule for our road trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disruption The second-quarter results do not fully reflect the latest disruption from Houthi threats to close the Bab el-Mandeb route. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026 What feels different today is not simply the number of disruptions. — Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 So far, there's been no widespread disruptions to water supplies or treatment. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 But for a staff currently humming along with the third-best ERA in the majors, there is danger in disruption. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disruption
  1. disturbance
  2. dislocation
Noun
  • Not getting enough sleep, not being able to get to sleep and waking up during the night are all signs of sleep disturbances.
    — Doreen Samelson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • What begins as relatively weak shear disturbances can quickly evolve into major waves and vortices.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • Its physical, psychological, and temporal dislocations often precede the possibility of narration itself.
    — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Citadel managed about $71 billion in assets as of July 1 and has often used periods of market dislocation to deploy capital into distressed or forced-selling situations.
    — Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of dislocation

Browse Nearby Words

disrupting
disruption
disruptions
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Cite this Entry

“Disruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disruption. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disruption

Nglish: Translation of disruption for Spanish Speakers

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