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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 disrupts The back line compresses space, the midfield disrupts passing lanes and Ferree has commanded his box with composure beyond his years. —

Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 Alcohol disrupts a person’s motor skills, which can affect their control of their vehicle. —

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026 As climate change intensifies droughts, disrupts rainfall patterns and fuels wildfires, desalination is expected to expand in many parts of the world. —

Annika Hammerschlag, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026 As climate change intensifies droughts, disrupts rainfall patterns and fuels wildfires, desalination is expected to expand in many parts of the world, including Southern California. —

Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026 Adjusting clocks and watches for daylight saving time forces the body out of its natural cycles and disrupts essential functions such as sleep and hormone release. —

Hali Smith march 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026 Pausing or reorganizing such studies midstream disrupts the ability to understand what works and what doesn’t. —

Max Crowley, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026 Daylight saving time disrupts the circadian rhythms of the human body, and the abrupt time change has been linked to higher risk of mood disorders and heart diseases, according to the organization. —

Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026 All of these subtle discomforts can lead to more tossing and turning, creating a ripple effect that disrupts your sleep and your energy level the following day. —

Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupts

Verb

Padilla breaks a few times, channeling Heidi Gardner, and the crowd gets amused.

— Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Mar. 2026
Moore is not that, and there are times when his lack of breakdown or setup steps keeps the defender in his hip pocket as Moore breaks on his route.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026