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
Relevance
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disrupt
In the moments leading up to the exchange, Johnson used her closing comments to portray herself as a steadfast voice for her constituents, even if that means disrupting the status quo.
—
Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
The reshuffle also seemed to disrupt the balance elsewhere, notably in midfield.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
When United Airlines passengers began getting alerts earlier this month about a technology outage that was disrupting their flights, many undoubtedly felt a sense of déjà vu.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
Traders will be hoping that an end to the Russia-Ukraine war — a conflict which began in 2022 and which has shaken the global economy, disrupting trade and supply chains, and creating geopolitical chasms between major economies in the West and East — could be nearer now than at any other time.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
The reshuffle also seemed to disrupt the balance elsewhere, notably in midfield.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
When United Airlines passengers began getting alerts earlier this month about a technology outage that was disrupting their flights, many undoubtedly felt a sense of déjà vu.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
Traders will be hoping that an end to the Russia-Ukraine war — a conflict which began in 2022 and which has shaken the global economy, disrupting trade and supply chains, and creating geopolitical chasms between major economies in the West and East — could be nearer now than at any other time.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupt
Verb
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Earlier this month, more than 50 women broke into spontaneous applause and cheers when Frierson unexpectedly walked into their meeting.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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But a man had broken into the back of the office and was waiting for her.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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He was recently disturbed by a Reddit thread in which a user posted jargon-heavy chatbot messages that seemed eerily familiar.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
10 Aug. 2025
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This experience left him disturbed by how his presence affected others.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If the community fractures over which path to take, and no consensus emerges, adoption may be stalled.—
Korok Ray,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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The star pass rusher was wreaking havoc on the NFL last season before fracturing his tibia and fibula in Week 6.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The refusal by the union to obey the order left many travelers at Toronto Pearson International Airport confused and frustrated on Aug. 17.—
Allison Lampert,
USA Today,
17 Aug. 2025
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Those news stories are confusing the timeline for the older stimulus checks.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For weeks after the house was destroyed, Ms. Monarrez couldn’t sleep.—
Jill Cowan,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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Protective sand dunes could be inundated and destroyed, which could lead to severe flooding inland, National Park Service officials at Cape Hatteras National Seashore warned Monday.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday Ahn slowly shuffled to a bridge leading to the Korean Peninsula’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), pleading for permission to cross the zone – one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world – and enter North Korea.—
Gawon Bae,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
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My shortlist of 50 wouldn’t have shuffled Braid, Celeste, or Terraria to this section, but, y’know, different strokes.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Work Ethic Camp was opened in 2001 and initially designed to reduce prison overcrowding, according to a Nebraska legislative report, providing the incarcerated with life skills training, substance abuse treatment and work experience.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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The bacterium, residing harmlessly in the guts of laboratory and fetal mice, reduced accumulation of mercury, the researchers said.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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They were disorganized and inefficient, their battles had been going poorly, and their leadership suffered from corruption and distrust.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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In high school, she was disorganized and distracted.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupt. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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