1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of disrupts
Cypermethrin disrupts thyroid hormones, which are critical to brain development.
—
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Eating quickly disrupts this process, leaving more carbohydrates to be broken down in the stomach and gut, which can lead to blood sugar spikes.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026
Deciding on a solution to the long-running turtle tizzy at I-95’s Exit 42, where 100-foot-tall light towers burn so brightly experts say the glow disrupts sea turtle nesting on beaches 12 miles away, has state and local government officials at loggerheads.
—Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 June 2026
Putin has increasingly faced setbacks on the battlefield as a Ukrainian drone strike campaign disrupts critical logistics routes and public support at home wanes.
—Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 6 June 2026
The more established the team’s reputation, the less anyone wants to be the one who disrupts it.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The interface with social media further disrupts the conventional process of correcting errors.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
But persistent, intense anxiety that disrupts sleep, mood or daily functioning is worth raising with a clinician.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Eating quickly disrupts this process, leaving more carbohydrates to be broken down in the stomach and gut, which can lead to blood sugar spikes.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026
Deciding on a solution to the long-running turtle tizzy at I-95’s Exit 42, where 100-foot-tall light towers burn so brightly experts say the glow disrupts sea turtle nesting on beaches 12 miles away, has state and local government officials at loggerheads.
—Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 June 2026
Putin has increasingly faced setbacks on the battlefield as a Ukrainian drone strike campaign disrupts critical logistics routes and public support at home wanes.
—Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 6 June 2026
The more established the team’s reputation, the less anyone wants to be the one who disrupts it.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
The interface with social media further disrupts the conventional process of correcting errors.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
But persistent, intense anxiety that disrupts sleep, mood or daily functioning is worth raising with a clinician.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupts
Verb
-
In the end, McGinniss’s new team breaks his heart, as all your rooting interests in sports eventually will.—
Leander Schaerlaeckens
June 8,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Franklin breaks score open with three runs in fourth.—
Darren Sabedra,
Mercury News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Regardless, there’s a clear symbolism to Clark empathizing and embracing a bloated externalization of his own inchoate fury until someone with an outside perspective disturbs his peace, and that fury breaks loose and devours him.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
That brings us to the part of the ShotSpotter discussion that perhaps disturbs us most.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Young people must understand clearly that violence destroys not only victims, but entire families and communities.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
-
But Bogan told the outlet those assurances fall short if construction bulldozes the critical turtle habitat, compromises the manmade earthen dam that holds the springs' pond, or destroys the mesquite thicket downstream where turtles shelter in winter.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
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There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership.—
Monica Cutia,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The whole concept of toxic fandom confuses me because, outside of the anger and backwards thinking, because who cares about a movie franchise that much?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
And Mary’s electric, palpably physical pursuit of justice becomes even more crucial in the final act, after a grotesque display of performative mockery toward Māori culture fractures the last remnants of civility present amid one of Cole’s lavish-yet-repulsive gatherings.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
-
What fractures globalized production naturally results in higher prices just as what integrates global production naturally results in lower prices.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
At the sound of morning prayers, an older Clarissa awakens from this dream and shuffles out to her lawn, where the leafy bush has been replaced with the industrial skyline of Lagos.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The future demands a neutral, interoperable and intelligent global trade infrastructure that reduces friction, expands inclusion and restores trust across borders.—
Meelan Gupta,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Unplugging protects against power surges and reduces fire hazards.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The skin stretches out and disintegrates, posing a risk of limb amputation.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disrupts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupts. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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