disturbance

noun

di-ˈstər-bən(t)s How to pronounce disturbance (audio)
Definition of disturbancenext
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity went to investigate the disturbance outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disruption
an act or instance of the order of things being disturbed caused a disturbance in the carefully ordered proceedings

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another the assistant apologized for the disturbance and got straight to the point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 disturbance Responsible tourism helps minimize disturbance to whale sharks while supporting conservation efforts. — Ashley Lynch july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Tropical humidity and warmth combine with a weather disturbance arriving from the west. — Steven Sosna, CBS News, 31 July 2026 They are identified as brain activity accompanied with multisensory disturbances and sometimes don’t even cause the signature intense pain. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 30 July 2026 Multiple neighbors called 911, reporting the disturbance with the same details. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for disturbance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbance
  1. commotion
  2. disruption
  3. harassment
  4. stir
  5. turmoil
  6. fuss
  7. noise
  8. hurry
Noun
  • Sleep was beginning to finally visit the insomniacs and drunkards of T—in central Manila when a commotion louder than the usual domestic squabbles erupted from the room above Mang Calixto’s bakery.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026
  • And, true to form, Clowney arrives with commotion and fanfare for great things ahead.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Importantly, such forecasts give countries early warning of heat waves, droughts, floods and potential disruptions to food supplies, among other outcomes.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Middle East oil giant Saudi Aramco on Tuesday reported a jump in second-quarter profit, beating expectations and following a period of severe disruption through the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of disruption
Noun
  • Unlike the Tribune, none of the outlets Welch spoke with had interviewed the harassment victims, leaving Welch to present a largely one-sided account.
    — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Uber has been overhauling its handling of assault and harassment claims against drivers after more attention was put on the issue.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of harassment
Noun
  • The Oscars smooch caused a stir in the media, but Haven later denied that there was anything untoward at play.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The news has caused a stir on the island, where Cubans have been paying for medicines on the black market for years after the government reduced the production and import of medicines amid the economic crisis.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • With even the trial date itself in dispute and Gulf sovereign funds backing much of the equity amid regional turmoil, the Ellisons may have won the bidding war only to inherit a much costlier fight.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The waltz seemed to leave his heart in turmoil without lifting his spirits.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of turmoil
Noun
  • The idea is to share several different plates, listen to the music — an izakaya’s ambiance is much different than that of an upscale omakase restaurant — and hang out with your friends without a lot of fuss.
    — Connie Ogle July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • The figure cited by FT also isn’t far off from what Ferrari expected the Luce to sell before the fuss caused by its debut.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 July 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • Later, the Taurus Moon enters your 3rd House of Communication, helping simple words calm the noise around you today.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026
  • As the noises grew louder, Anyanwu tried calling a neighborhood-watch group, then some friends, but the calls didn’t connect.
    — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of noise
Noun
  • Two years into her reign, in 2024, an insider revealed that Camilla wasn’t in any hurry to step away.
    — Starr Bowenbank, InStyle, 18 July 2026
  • Prairiewolf has always seemed bent on finding new territory while being in no particular hurry to get there.
    — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 17 July 2026
Definition of hurry

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Cite this Entry

“Disturbance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbance. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of disturbance for Spanish Speakers

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