disrupt

verb

dis-ˈrəpt How to pronounce disrupt (audio)
Definition of disruptnext
1
as in to break
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 to disturb
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

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 disrupt One of the latest incidents occurred in Clayton County, Georgia, where local officials disclosed that unauthorized cyber activity disrupted water service last month, according to CBS News. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Some venoms paralyze respiratory muscles, while others destroy tissue, disrupt blood clotting, damage kidneys, or trigger cardiovascular collapse. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026 This backup is crucial for the medical center, water treatment facilities, school, and hotels during hurricanes, which often disrupt Puerto Rico’s main power supply. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 On Wednesday, resident after resident criticized Lineage Logistics for disrupting their lives. — City News Service, Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupt
  1. break
  2. disturb
  3. fracture
  4. confuse
  5. destroy
  6. shuffle
  7. reduce
  8. disorganize
Verb
  • The Houthis say closing Bab el-Mandeb to Saudi traffic aims to break the coalition’s blockade.
    — Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The agent that flagged a bad clause in June stops flagging it in July, and nobody did anything wrong, and nothing broke.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • Burke’s friends and acquaintances who spoke with Rolling Stone were similarly disturbed.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • China’s introduction of a common buying agency has disturbed what has been an evenly balanced relationship which has sometimes favored one side over the other, but which eventually finds equilibrium.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Social media and streaming have fractured the traditional advertising model in ways that are impossible to ignore.
    — Ashlee Difuntorum, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • But if not in flames, fractured it was left — the WGAE said its decision would stand.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of fracture
Verb
  • It’s labeled in their inventory so it’s not confused for an original, but adds their own touch to their trove.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Physicians are alarmed, stressing that FDA licensing is crucial for guiding patients, as this decision risks confusing consumers about regulated versus unregulated treatments.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Cal Fire continues to battle the Gann Fire, which has burned more than 10,000 acres in Calaveras County and destroyed over a dozen structures.
    — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, Bernadette makes her potion and turns into a 60-foot monster, destroying Pasadena.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • The results indicated continued progress in CVS' broader turnaround plan, which has involved cutting $2 billion in costs, closing underperforming stores, shuffling leadership and reducing costs within Medicare Advantage plans.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Few heads turn despite her tall, unmistakable frame shuffling across the floor.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • For example, shifting the Fed’s portfolio toward short-term Treasury bills and away from long-term bonds or mortgage-back securities could reduce market price distortion and limit the government’s role in allocating capital across sectors.
    — David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • And China, with its massive oil inventory, has been drawing down its reserves and reduced its crude imports by more than 4 million barrels a day, according to JPMorgan.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Reese finished with 12 rebounds, but Thornton made her work for every touch near the basket, consistently positioning herself to contest without fouling and keeping Atlanta’s interior offense disorganized throughout the first three quarters.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • Atlanta doesn’t have a true point guard at the moment in its post-Trae Young incarnation, and the second units in particular could look disorganized.
    — The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Definition of disorganize

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disrobing
disrupt
disrupted
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Cite this Entry

“Disrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupt. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of disrupt for Spanish Speakers

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