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 Courts have also recognized circumstances in which educational institutions may restrict student speech that materially and substantially disrupts their operations. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026 San Antonio's aggressive defense disrupted every Jazz offensive action and forced desperate shots near the end of the shot clock in the extra period. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 Hormonal changes, hot flashes, night sweats and mood changes can all disrupt rest. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026 The conflict has collapsed vital export sectors, disrupted seasonal harvests, and destroyed livelihoods. — Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 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
  • Miami Hurricanes star wide receiver Malachi Toney once again broke records on Saturday.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Senate Democrats first elected in 1958 established a critical mass that would later drive the bipartisan super-majorities needed to break the filibuster and pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
    — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • Her departure came just the day after prosecutors said the baby's mother discovered disturbing camera footage over a three-month period.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Then the heart-wrenching, disturbing discussion of why Nevada became famous overnight was brought up.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • The medical examiner found injuries to Paul Herlihy’s nose and jaw, fractures to his skull, and damage to his voice box.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Their partnership fractured over Gilpin's refusal to keep delivering dehumanizing racial slurs written into the script, a dispute that ultimately led to Gilpin being replaced by a young Paul Robeson when the production went overseas.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fracture
Verb
  • But the other Sullivan has said the decision to run was his own and denied his candidacy was intended to confuse voters or siphon votes in Republican Sullivan's tight race against Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman.
    — Willem Marx, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Christina Applegate’s recent revelation that she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis is raising questions about how the disease can be confused with other conditions even after years of treatment.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • The students on Thursday asked public servants to prevent outgoing officials from destroying documentation or evidence of potential wrongdoing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • According to the Federal Trade Commission, destroy anything containing sensitive information to protect yourself from identity theft.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • It’s been more than a year since Ozzy Osbourne shuffled off this mortal coil.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Current traded away some assets while shuffling stars like Michelle Cooper, Temwa Chawinga and Lorena in and out of the lineup.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • By controlling how densely cancer-targeting proteins are displayed on the virus, the team developed vaccine particles that significantly reduced tumor development in mice.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Research suggests standard time better aligns with our circadian rhythm, or internal clock, and reduces the risk of health complications.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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