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 El Niño could result in crop losses and planting delays in Brazil for onions, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, apples and grapes, and lower reservoir levels could disrupt mango, papaya and grape crops, analysts wrote. — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 As the Starlink signal is almost impossible to disrupt by jamming, the idea that Russia might consider wiping the megaconstellation out by brute force didn't seem impossible. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 July 2026 The pandemic completely disrupted the healthcare supply chain and exposed its vulnerabilities. — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 July 2026 The new policy would set reasonable time restrictions, steps to maintain order and a procedure to warn attendees who disrupt meetings, City Attorney Dan Bortnicki said. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 8 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
  • Vibes were good among volunteers and visitors from around the world and every corner of the United States — and among stadium staffers, who won raises in a late-breaking contract agreement that resulted in increases to more than $30 per hour.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Even in games when England have struggled, those two have delivered, Bellingham breaking the deadlock against Panama, Kane single-handedly turning the game against DR Congo in the last 32.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • The officer wrote that Gatz had been living in the area for several months and was disturbing the surrounding vegetation.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • Platner has faced multiple allegations of reckless and drunken behavior and disturbing behavior toward women since launching his campaign in August.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Ramírez described it as an unexpected truce in a society fractured by politics.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • The question of whether new states would be slave or free threatened to fracture the nation.
    — Jim Rasenberger, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
Definition of fracture
Verb
  • That is important because a boxy robotaxi that can drive both ways may confuse pedestrians, cyclists or other drivers.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • One of the biggest mistakes students make is confusing a loan approval with an affordability recommendation.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • That decision eliminated the creative accounting that has destroyed countless songwriting partnerships.
    — Datwon Thomas, VIBE.com, 9 July 2026
  • The leaf-hopping insect destroyed more than 1,000 acres of grapevines in Northern California from 1994 to 2008, causing $30 million in damage, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
    — Lizzie Kane July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • The Chicago Cubs have been shuffling the lower levels of their organization ahead of the trade deadline, looking to recapture some strong momentum from the beginning of the season to help drive a playoff push in the second half.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • One Wednesday evening in May, at the boutique hotel Dream Hollywood — located just off the Walk of Fame — a young hotel staff member shuffled over to her co-worker to discuss a special guest on the top floor.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Displaying tactical discipline and superior talent, the English national team defeated Mexico 3-2 with a lineup reduced to 10 men on Sunday night.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
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Cite this Entry

“Disrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupt. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of disrupt for Spanish Speakers

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