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

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

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 Opposition lawmakers held placards and shouted slogans seeking Pradhan’s resignation outside the Parliament building and then disrupted proceedings inside, forcing the chambers to be repeatedly suspended. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 July 2026 But mutations in this gene disrupt the normal workings of the associated proteins. — Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Powerful solar storms, like the one that hit Earth in January, are capable of disrupting or disabling satellites by interfering with onboard electronics, sensitive instruments and communications systems. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 July 2026 Trump steered the country into a war against Iran with no end in sight, disrupting the global flow of oil and spiking prices at the pump. — Jill Colvin, Fortune, 23 July 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
  • These questions – not to mention the loss of former coach Mike McDaniel, who’s run scheme in 2025 was nothing short of wizardry – could potentially make or break the Dolphins.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • Paramount’s stock dropped more than 3% after news of the court filing broke Friday.
    — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 24 July 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • Plus, Bluetooth headphone pairing lets students watch TV late at night without disturbing roommates.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026
  • Environmental groups fear that breeding grounds could be disturbed by a variety of things including vehicle traffic and unchecked development.
    — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Later that year, an intruder broke into the Pelosis’ San Francisco home and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, fracturing his skull.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 July 2026
  • The escalating standoff comes as the fragile truce reached last month has fractured, once again disrupting energy flows through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which typically handles around 20% of the world's oil traffic.
    — Sam Meredith,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Definition of fracture
Verb
  • The Blazers say a handshake agreement with Mayor Keith Wilson, the city and the county was made in March, and are confused why there has been a shift.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The figure who experiences every prompt to begin the process as a threat rather than a relief has confused the cause with the self.
    — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • The planters themselves get chipped, scratched, dented and, in one out of every three cases so far, destroyed.
    — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • However, an unconfined plasma column could instantly destroy solid surfaces upon contact.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • While the downtown’s worth a visit on its own, most visitors shuffle in for a visit to Singing Beach, a stretch of fine sand just 10 minutes on foot from the train station.
    — Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
  • Pre-shot routines such as Patrick Cantlay’s foot-shuffling and Brian Harman’s waggles have driven golf fans up a wall.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • The additional sleep provided by the bassinet also is believed to reduce burnout and postpartum depression in working moms and dads.
    — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • There is an endless debate about crime, its causes and how to reduce it.
    — Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupt. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on disrupt

Nglish: Translation of disrupt for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All