1
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

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 Sheriff’s deputies responded to an early morning disturbance call Saturday in Imperial Beach and discovered a man with traumatic injuries, who died despite lifesaving efforts. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025 The chances for development of a disturbance in the Atlantic have been downgraded significantly in the latest National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025 Bald Knob police responded to a disturbance call at the food truck and found that two men had been arguing when one of them stabbed the other with a knife multiple times, Bald Knob police Chief Larry House said. Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2025 Overnight, the disturbance in the eastern Atlantic developed little, but forecasters still give it a high chance of forming a tropical depression or storm this week. Alex Harris updated September 3, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disturbance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbance
Noun
  • The commotion has come as a surprise to Cooke, who didn’t foresee her role as such a divisive one.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The child’s father had arrived home shortly before the incident occurred and heard a commotion in the bedroom, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT.
    TJ Macias, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In California’s strawberry fields, an ICE raid sparked widespread panic and disruption among farmworker communities.
    David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Pre-season was smoother compared to last year’s disruption when the women’s team had to move out of their building to make way for the men’s team.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The alleged harassment took place over the course of about 17 months, from February 2024 to July 2025, the Star-Telegram previously reported.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Lisa Nandy has voiced her disapproval at major TV players declining to pay annual fees to the UK industry’s new independent bullying and harassment complaints body.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Florida’s Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, created a stir this week suggesting the state eliminate all school vaccine requirements.
    Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • When season 1 premiered, Noah and Joanne’s first kiss caused quite the stir.
    EW.com, EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Thailand has been in political turmoil since, ever since deadly border clashes with Cambodian forces.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Stock futures gained momentum on Sunday evening as investors brace for fresh inflation data and political turmoil overseas that could ripple through the bond market.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That all of the fuss of hiring a world-class manager might actually be worth it.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The star’s grooming routine is no fuss.
    Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Someone in a hurry could skim the key points, while others could dive into detailed FAQs and links to studies.
    Kristine Johnson, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In addition to his pass coverage, which includes a pair of pass breakups, Scott also has three tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has reported that there is already noise about Pittsburgh pursuing a trade for Hill.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Las Vegas formula of maximalism—24/7 noise, crowds, queues, and constant spend—clashes with a mood that prizes sleep, space, and self-regulation.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disturbance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbance. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disturbance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!