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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 family was waiting for a tenant who wouldn’t party or disturb their peace. Keith Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order and cities like Los Angeles are drafting their own ordinances to protect constituents after reports of disturbing encounters with masked agents or those who refuse to identify themselves. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025 The following article contains disturbing descriptions. Kc Baker, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025 After Spencer and Mosley were arrested, disturbing details began emerging about the abuse the girl had allegedly suffered since 2018. Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disturb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturb
Verb
  • The women were too busy cooking, crafting, and caring for the family to bother with the stone tools used by men in hunting and building.
    Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?
    Time, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By removing color, the focus shifts to texture, light, gesture, and gaze — emphasizing the nuances of connection and the multiplicity of what love can look like beyond normative, romanticized ideals.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Social media platforms, including YouTube and X, have begun removing videos of the attack.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Additionally, pollution accumulation and vessel noise disrupt their echolocation abilities, making hunting increasingly difficult.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Free of sulfates, fragrances, and dyes, the Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner won’t disrupt your scalp’s barrier.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Wildfire worries With the worsening drought comes worries over wildfires.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The airline's fall from grace should worry anyone with loyalty to the brand.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Now standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 225 pounds, Dillon has built a reputation as a hard-hitting, shot-blocking shutdown blueliner who has remained durable despite his physical playing style.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In Iowa last month, the state's insurance commissioner weighed increases ranging from 3% to 37% against a stream of angry public comments.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But one way to distract and soothe your temperamental toddler might be through music.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Molina, who is fascinated by silver screen legend Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez), distracts himself and Valentín with a recounting of his favorite film of hers — The Kiss of the Spider Woman.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Most of them — 69 people — were relocated to emergency shelters, while 22 others were placed in some form of permanent housing.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Carman Chan, founder of Click Ventures, a single-family office, similarly noted that many of her family office peers who set up businesses in Singapore are relocating back to Hong Kong.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yes, God confuses the language and scatters everyone, thereby creating linguistic and cultural diversity.
    John Fugelsang September 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
  • At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturb. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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