DISTURB Synonyms: 273 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'disturb' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disturb are agitate , discompose , disquiet , fluster , perturb , and upset . While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption. // the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Q: When is it sensible to use 'agitate' instead of 'disturb'?

In some situations, the words agitate and disturb are roughly equivalent. However, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement. // in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

Q: When is 'discompose' a more appropriate choice than 'disturb'?

The synonyms discompose and disturb are sometimes interchangeable, but discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress. // discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

Q: When can 'disquiet' be used instead of 'disturb'?

The meanings of disquiet and disturb largely overlap; however, disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind. // the disquieting news of factories closing

Q: When would 'fluster' be a good substitute for 'disturb'?

While the synonyms fluster and disturb are close in meaning, fluster suggests bewildered agitation. // his declaration of love completely flustered her

Q: When could 'perturb' be used to replace 'disturb'?

Although the words perturb and disturb have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions. // perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

Q: In what contexts can 'upset' take the place of 'disturb'?

The words upset and disturb can be used in similar contexts, but upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief. // the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

disturb

verb

di-ˈstərb

Definition of disturb

as in to bother

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy all that talk of war disturbed us

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to remove

to change the place or position of the items on her desk had been disturbed by someone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disrupt

to undo the proper order or arrangement of her careful filing system is sure to be disturbed during the move

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to worry

to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation sorry to disturb you while you're working

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to weigh

to cause discomfort to or trouble for please do not disturb yourself—I'll get my own drink

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disturb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disturb are agitate, discompose, disquiet, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When is it sensible to use agitate instead of disturb?

In some situations, the words agitate and disturb are roughly equivalent. However, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When is discompose a more appropriate choice than disturb?

The synonyms discompose and disturb are sometimes interchangeable, but discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When can disquiet be used instead of disturb?

The meanings of disquiet and disturb largely overlap; however, disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When would fluster be a good substitute for disturb?

While the synonyms fluster and disturb are close in meaning, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disturb?

Although the words perturb and disturb have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

In what contexts can upset take the place of disturb?

The words upset and disturb can be used in similar contexts, but upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

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 disturb The size and ferocity of the La Mierla fire disturbed Aragüés, yet the situation was about to get worse. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 Each seat is 19 inches wide with 39 inches of pitch with thoughtful features like a hard shell for easy reclining without disturbing surrounding fliers and privacy dividers attached to the headrest. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026 Turner said the treatment of the teenagers in Seattle disturbed her even more. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Harper’s left behind records detailing disturbing behavior that seem not to have been based in fact. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for disturb

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturb

Verb

My summer dresses will sadly be retired in the coming weeks, but a denim midi skirt is the ideal swap on days when I can’t be bothered to wear jeans.

— Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
While acknowledging a desire for the honor, Overeem states he's not overly bothered, having faced similar situations throughout his long career.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

Kisunla is designed to help slow the progression of early symptomatic Alzheimer's by targeting the brain to break up and remove amyloid plaques, which are a hallmark of the disease.

— Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Company executives believe bringing fuel directly to fleet yards could remove that barrier.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of remove

Verb

Bondele was among hundreds of Ebola response workers in Bunia who staged strikes and protests over unpaid wages in recent weeks, at times abandoning health facilities and disrupting parts of the response as the outbreak continued to spread.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
And maybe some Gen Zers are undersocialized and under-prepared after their education was disrupted by a global pandemic.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Verb

Survivors have expressed frustration and worry over growing support for the possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence by the international community, including Japan.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
But the nanny never worried the Massachusetts mother might be a danger to her children or to herself.

— Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

The device is made of dental resin, weighs 10 g (about a third of an ounce), and is about 1 mm thick.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2026
While most of the onigiri in Japanese convenience stores and markets is designed for snacking, Choe’s onigiri are hulking, chunky rounded triangles of rice and filling that each weigh at least half a pound.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of weigh

Verb

The visit continues the British royal family’s involvement in this edition of the Games, which were relocated to Scotland after the Australian host city of Victoria withdrew and adapted to a smaller format featuring ten sports.

— Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 1 Aug. 2026
Kamayan moves next door Kamayan ATL, the joyful and widely acclaimed Filipino restaurant on Buford Highway, has relocated to a new space directly next to its original location.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of relocate

Verb

It’s labeled in their inventory so it’s not confused for an original, but adds their own touch to their trove.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Physicians are alarmed, stressing that FDA licensing is crucial for guiding patients, as this decision risks confusing consumers about regulated versus unregulated treatments.

— Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of confuse

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distrusts

disturb

disturbance

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“Disturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturb. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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