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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disrupt
In his meetings with the heads of aid organizations, Fletcher heard about their efforts to navigate the funding shortfalls amid the surge in violence that’s disrupting access to healthcare, education and employment.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
The World Economic Forum projects that 44% of a worker's core skills will be disrupted within the next five years, while 70% of business leaders already report a significant skills gap in their workforce.
—Dave Tucker, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In Malmo in 2014, thousands gathered in the Swedish city in protest at Israel’s participation while in Basel earlier this year, protestors attempted to rush onto the stage to disrupt Israeli singer Yuval Raphael’s performance.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
The limitations placed on these researchers is disrupting NASA’s work and could stymie the careers of younger Chinese researchers who came to the US to advance their scientific work, as well as benefit the space agency through their findings, the sources said.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
The World Economic Forum projects that 44% of a worker's core skills will be disrupted within the next five years, while 70% of business leaders already report a significant skills gap in their workforce.
—Dave Tucker, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In Malmo in 2014, thousands gathered in the Swedish city in protest at Israel’s participation while in Basel earlier this year, protestors attempted to rush onto the stage to disrupt Israeli singer Yuval Raphael’s performance.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
The limitations placed on these researchers is disrupting NASA’s work and could stymie the careers of younger Chinese researchers who came to the US to advance their scientific work, as well as benefit the space agency through their findings, the sources said.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupt
Verb
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Well, Kristina Collins, MD, a dermatologist based in Austin, broke it down for me.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Her backing, however, did not immediately break the dam and usher in more establishment Democratic Party support.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There’s a certain freedom not having social media available from your app launcher, knowing you won’t get disturbed on this device, but are still able to sit back with a good book, some light jazz, and… not much else.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Unfollow accounts that regularly share disturbing images.—
Annie Margaret,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Laura is frantic about saving Daniel after learning Cherry pushed her father from a construction site, fracturing his spine in two places.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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But as his grip on reality begins to fracture, the recording session spirals out of control.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yes, God confuses the language and scatters everyone, thereby creating linguistic and cultural diversity.—
John Fugelsang
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
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At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some are value-destroying black holes; others are relentless value creators.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The first instance of NATO nations downing drones came last week, when Polish and Dutch fighters destroyed three Russian drones over Poland.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gakpo is deeper, and Wirtz pushes forward as the central member of Liverpool’s forward line, while Ekitike shuffles across as the left of the trio.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Declining enrollment means the district may need to shuffle schools, students, or teachers to ensure each school is well attended, and the student-teacher ratios are well-balanced.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The researchers believe that the benefit likely comes from aspirin acting in several ways – by reducing inflammation and inhibiting platelet function and tumor growth.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Sep. 2025
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In 2016, court filings indicate Gamez Lira was charged with possession of marijuana but ultimately pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after the charges were reduced.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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They were disorganized and inefficient, their battles had been going poorly, and their leadership suffered from corruption and distrust.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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In high school, she was disorganized and distracted.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupt. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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