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 Smoke has disrupted daily life in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas and the largest city in the Brazilian Amazon. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 In some cases, the incidents disrupted work around local elections. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Generating more pressure could help the Chiefs disrupt the Chargers’ offense and help keep their unbeaten start rolling. — Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 Freeman is sure to get his targets and receptions, but if TCU can find a way to minimize his impact, then the Horned Frogs could disrupt Baylor’s entire flow offensively. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 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
  • Smaller pieces of the roof broke apart as sections detached from the main frame of the building.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The civil war in Yemen erupted once again this summer and significantly intensified last month, breaking years of relative calm.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • She was especially disturbed by the emotional vulnerability that someone could exploit when a person believes a relationship is genuine.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Police Chief Paul Joseph said at a press conference on Tuesday that Lieu had a criminal history involving firearms and disturbing behavior.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • This simultaneous rise of the Greens and Reform could fracture Britain’s political landscape, in which the first-past-the-post electoral system typically favors two or three major parties.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • These attacks are designed to fracture the alliance’s unity, test the strength of members’ commitment to Article 5—the principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all—and raise the cost of supporting Ukraine.
    — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of fracture
Verb
  • Dealing with the British, his Tenzing is scrupulous and honorable, but don’t confuse that with subservience.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Decoys, which carry no explosives, help confuse Russian air defenses and force them to waste ammunition.
    — Jarrett Ley, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Rather than undertaking the difficult but just and moral work of reform of the nation's immigration laws, Vance would destroy and expel their families with a smile, claiming that such actions will save you money.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Running low on fuel, NASA chose to steer Cassini straight into Saturn's atmosphere, where the spacecraft was destroyed.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Kering is starting to clean house, having already shuffled creative directors at Gucci, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta.
    — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Green tea was served by gang members shuffling around in slippers.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Sullivan touted his Bycatch Reduction Act, a bill intended to reduce excess fish caught by large commercial trawlers.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Energy-absorbing seats are designed to manage forces transmitted to occupants during an impact, potentially reducing injury risks.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 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

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 18 Oct. 2026.

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