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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 That matters when adversaries disrupt or deny radar operations. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026 The spill did not disrupt flights or passenger services, and the airport continues to operate normally. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 The Associated Press HANOI, Vietnam -- Heavy rain caused flooding across parts of northern Vietnam on Thursday, disrupting travel, inundating homes and pushing several rivers above dangerous levels, authorities and state media said. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 People should be open to how AItools can disrupt industries, but the choice to use them should be fueled by data and intentionality. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 17 Sep. 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 Durzi addition should also help the Rangers break pucks out of their defensive zone at five-on-five.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • After enduring a record-shattering heat wave this spring, Southern California continued to break temperature records this week when Long Beach and Anaheim reached a blistering 107 degrees and Escondido hit 112 degrees.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • Food companies are trying to find ways to make products healthier or more affordable by changing ingredients without disturbing familiar textures.
    — Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • These changes can disturb the jet stream, the fast-moving westerly current of air in the atmosphere that helps steer weather systems around the Northern Hemisphere.
    — Yongkang Xue, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • One armrest broke, and his fist hit jagged plastic, fracturing his left hand.
    — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Democratic coalition is fractured over the legislation championed by Sens.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of fracture
Verb
  • The Polo Room Not to be confused with Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar, the Polo Room takes its name from the actual sport—international polo star Nacho Figueras is a co-owner, and his Argentine heritage runs throughout the restaurant.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There’s no complicated touchscreen to confuse older family members or young kids, either.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • The fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, cabins and other structures.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Mark Zuckerberg certainly wants no part of one, and cutthroat competition seems hard-coded into tech executives, who are rich enough not to need to win but wake up every morning trying to destroy each other anyway.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • The space suddenly swells with agents, assistants, clients and others shuffling through for lunch.
    — Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Others, for certain, are incubated by gridiron versions of cheer moms, who shuffle their sons around in search of stardom.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Because the coating is already on the coil, manufacturers may be able to reduce reliance on external lubrication and additional e-coating processes.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The goal, advocates say, was to get individuals struggling with addiction treatment while reducing overcrowding inside state prisons.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

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 19 Sep. 2026.

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