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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 Under this order, Phypers is not allowed to own or buy guns, abuse Richards, disturb her peace, be in contact with her, among other restrictions. Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025 The outlet reported that under the restraining order, Phypers is not allowed to own or buy guns, abuse Richards, disturb her peace, or be in contact with her, among other restrictions. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025 The top coat went on smoothly and didn’t disturb the color underneath, adding a nice shine and helping the manicure last longer. Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025 Another possibility is that there is a relic magnetic field that exists between galaxies which remains from the early universe and disturbs low-energy gamma-rays. Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disturb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturb
Verb
  • The clanging of dirty dishes being gathered in the back kitchen does not bother her.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Instagram and TikTok are littered with stories of women and their unsupportive husbands, men who can't remember their own children's birthdays or be bothered to take a weekend off from their golf hobby to spend time with their families.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • These risks have prompted the United States, China, and other spacefaring nations to develop advanced systems for tracking, avoiding, and potentially removing orbital debris.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • My son removes his shoes and socks and joins me.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The shutdown has disrupted federal operations, delayed pay for hundreds of thousands of workers, and put critical programs at risk.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly endorsed the deal and called the immediate vote to begin the process of approving it as the shutdown continued to disrupt flights nationwide, threaten food assistance for millions of Americans and leave federal workers without pay.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Punk music and its spirit clearly worried the Soviet rulers.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
  • For voters worried about health-insurance coverage or the future of research in the United States, scientists, health-care workers, and public-health experts may have particular appeal right now, Shields told me.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Just a few months ago, McKenna was weighing the two schools against each other, the Spartans finishing as runners-up in his historic recruiting war.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Lawmakers are still weighing the costs to the state of doing so and have yet to decide on an approach, House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, told the Idaho Statesman.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Moreover, 14% of more than 1,000 respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by a smartphone—often resulting in injury or damage to property.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Critics said the milestones are too weak, and that Musk is distracted by side ventures.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Construction requires resurfacing roads and relocating utilities, creating traffic disruptions.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The couple relocated to Welders House, their longtime country estate in England, just weeks before the musician’s death in July.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The Farmers’ Almanac will be gone for good after its final 2026 edition, not to be confused with The Old Farmer's Almanac, a separate publication.
    Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Blue Origin also launches New Shepard from Texas The New Glenn spacecraft is not to be confused with Blue Origin's much smaller New Shepard rocket that the company launches from West Texas on brief trips taking paying passengers high above Earth's atmosphere.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturb. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.

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