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 next

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

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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

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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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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 Another bill would criminalize those who disturb church services — a response to the protest at a Christian church in Minnesota that led to arrests of activists and journalists, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon. —

Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026 The rituals of remembrance are meant to disturb our complacency. —

Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026 The 12 villas come with a living room, a separate bedroom, and kitchen stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks from the mini bar, a pre-dinner amuse bouche from the chef each evening, and a patio with a separate entrance for staffers to set up morning breakfast without disturbing you. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026 Set in the 1990s, the film centers on a young FBI agent (Maika Monroe) who investigates a series of disturbing murders connected by highly specific commonalities. —

Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disturb

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturb

Verb

The person who should have been most upset, Acuña, didn’t seem at all bothered.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Given their locations, having a Chinese company operating them has long bothered the United States.

— Alma Solís, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026

Definition of bother

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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 4 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 3 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of disturb

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