DISRUPTS Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

disrupts

verb

present tense third-person singular of disrupt

as in breaks

to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly an earthquake that had disrupted the elevated highway in several places

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as in disturbs

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

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 disrupts Change disrupts the status quo, and employees often resist change activities to preserve stability. — John Radman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 In Egypt, for example, steep hikes in fuel and food prices and enormous losses of Suez Canal revenues as the war disrupts global shipping are compounding existing fiscal and unemployment crises. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 The capability could prove useful during missions where electronic warfare disrupts conventional navigation systems. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026 Sleep and health researchers say moving clocks twice a year disrupts the body's circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep and other biological functions. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 Salt, like vinegar, also disrupts plant cell growth and dries out plant tissues. — The Spruce, 6 Aug. 2026 The pipeline has played a key role in moving Saudi oil exports to market as Iran disrupts the Strait of Hormuz with attacks on tankers. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 30 July 2026 The election law, enacted in July last year by the previous military government, imposes punishments of up to the death penalty for anyone who opposes or disrupts elections. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 Travelers at Miami International Airport on Wednesday are facing cancellations and delays as fallout from an American Airlines shutdown disrupts flight schedules. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupts

Verb

The needle goes into the record, and the signal is continuous, and digital, of course, breaks it up into zeros and ones.

— Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026
Whichever way the debut breaks, the machines run on Nvidia's robot chips and train in Nvidia's simulators, so the intelligence layer collects on every outcome.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of breaks

Verb

Tilling or plowing in the summer disturbs the soil's delicate ecosystem and exposes moist soil to rapid water loss.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 June 2026
The pier in Michigan City’s Washington Park disturbs the natural flow of sand along the lakeshore, creating new land east of the pier but starving beaches to the west, an erosion problem repeated by other manmade structures that jut out into Lake Michigan.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

Definition of disturbs

Verb

T cells, a type of immune cell that detects and destroys infected or abnormal cells, normally perform this inspection.

— William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The white dwarf emits radiation and produces a giant gas bubble—the lion’s face—that destroys dust in its path.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroys

Verb

But news of her grandmother’s possible death fractures the journey, drawing Adela into childhood memories, family silences and fantastical visions.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
With enough pulses, the fast-swelling channel, as in Yutkin’s investigation, induces a shock wave that fractures the rock.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fractures

Verb

In the clip, Dawkins shuffles out onto the field with no shirt, a pair of Crocs and a clear plastic bag ready to get the ol' inside-out treatment.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
An exhibition game also shuffles the storylines — some players emerge, others might fade.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffles

Verb

Bright colors pop across the entire massive IPS panel, even at different viewing angles, and a zippy 100Hz refresh rate reduces lag and keeps everything on-screen smooth.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Swimming also reduces stress as rhythmic breathing and movement trigger the release of brain chemicals such as endorphins and dopamine, which produce a sense of euphoria and well-being.

— Michael McColly, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduces

Verb

Even those who can afford to stay suffer losses in home equity and lifestyle as the community around them disintegrates or disappears.

— The Conversation, Fortune, 12 June 2026
None are quite about the conflicting frames of reference and value that arise when an ancient cultural formation disintegrates and a successor has yet to take its place.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026