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 In September 2025, a cyberattack against a technology provider used by dozens of airlines to manage check-in and boarding disrupted Europe’s air travel operations. — Susana Sierra, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 The conflict, and cuts to foreign aid have disrupted routine vaccinations and other assistance. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026 On that second goal, Tarik Muharemovic should do more to disrupt Rogers under the throw, Sean Longstaff should be more aware of Palmer’s movement and Zetterer, one of the big casualties of the night, has to do better with the finish. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 The war has disrupted transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a Middle Eastern waterway used for transporting a large percentage of the world's petroleum. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 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
  • Also, the ship uses dynamic positioning in many cases versus anchoring and disturbing the ocean.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Yellow jackets are often the most aggressive, especially when scavenging for food or if their ground nests are disturbed.
    — Nick Perry, USA Today, 9 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
  • After Israel destroyed Jenin refugee camp during the Second Intifada in 2002, a young girl looked into Mohammad Bakri’s camera and said that Palestinians would live proudly as eagles and die standing like lions.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That’s because key refineries that produce it have been knocked offline or destroyed, both in Eastern Europe — where the Ukraine-Russia war still rages — and in the Middle East.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • The filmmaker has likened his perspective in this project to that of Dorothy’s dog Toto in The Wizard of Oz, alert to the shuffling feet beneath the curtain rather than being bamboozled by the shyster title character’s techno showmanship.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Not much else changed in Class 5A, besides Azle and Arlington Seguin shuffling down two spots with Week 2 losses.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Its compact permanent magnet motor enables a smaller pod diameter, reducing hydrodynamic drag while maintaining high propulsion performance.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Advanced transmission technologies can reduce those losses and increase existing network capacity without requiring entirely new lines.
    — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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