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
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Recent Examples of disrupt
In 2022 farmers felt similar pressures after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted energy and fertilizer prices, too.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 June 2026
Historically, Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig and James McAvoy have also criticized audience members for disrupting their shows.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
The more established the team’s reputation, the less anyone wants to be the one who disrupts it.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Adapting to changing stakes College football changed at a glacial pace until 2010, when rounds of realignment disrupted the sport more than Playoff expansion ever could.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 June 2026
Historically, Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig and James McAvoy have also criticized audience members for disrupting their shows.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
The more established the team’s reputation, the less anyone wants to be the one who disrupts it.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Adapting to changing stakes College football changed at a glacial pace until 2010, when rounds of realignment disrupted the sport more than Playoff expansion ever could.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupt
Verb
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After breaking a sweat, kick back by the zen outdoor infinity pool.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
But Paul Heyman would put Breakker’s foot on the rope to break the pin.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Most were for assault of police officers while other allegations include theft, vandalism and disturbing the public order.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
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Regardless, there’s a clear symbolism to Clark empathizing and embracing a bloated externalization of his own inchoate fury until someone with an outside perspective disturbs his peace, and that fury breaks loose and devours him.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Nix fractured his ankle in January late in a postseason win against Buffalo and had surgery shortly after.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
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Stafford’s lower spine was fractured seven years ago, followed three years later by a bruise to his spinal cord.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
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And then beyond that, there’s Hackney Wick, which is not to be confused with traditional Hackney, also on the canal, filled with very cool community initiatives.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 May 2026
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Because of their similar flowers, this plant is sometimes confused with bigleaf hydrangea.—
Marie Iannotti,
The Spruce,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Fueled by large stocks of critically dry vegetation and extreme winds, the fires killed 31 people, destroyed nearly 12,000 homes, and forced over 150,000 evacuations.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
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But satellite images reviewed by CNN show how Iran has used simple equipment such as bulldozers and dump trucks to counter those costly campaigns — suggesting that Tehran’s missile capabilities can’t be destroyed just by targeting tunnel entrances, experts said.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Other major destinations, which have seen their order in the top-six markets by size shuffle rapidly in recent months, painted a mixed picture.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
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Having gone into hiding, Walt ultimately manages to make some things right before shuffling off the mortal coil.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Spirulina helps eliminate heavy metal build-up in the body, for instance; ginger and cumin reduce bloating; lecithin and gingko can improve memory.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Statistically, the drug reduced the risk of death by 60% compared with chemotherapy.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The total number of ADF militants in the DRC is unclear due to the organization’s loose and often disorganized nature.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
5 May 2026
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People who are disorganized across the board also exist.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupt. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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