1
as in commotions
a state of noisy, confused activity
went to investigate the disturbance outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disruptions
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 harassments
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
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Recent Examples of disturbances
While Earth's storms can last hours or days, these cosmic disturbances can unfold over millions of years and span thousands of light-years.
—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Until then, scientists generally associated major space-weather disturbances with periods of intense solar and geomagnetic activity.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
While no major storm is forecast, even moderate disturbances can enhance visibility under dark, clear skies.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Immediately upon the signing of this MoU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days.
—
Npr Staff,
NPR,
18 June 2026
Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days.
—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2026
Zinnias have deep root systems that don’t respond well to disturbances when actively growing; the stress of transplanting reduces flower production.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
Those supporters were left unchallenged by stewards, despite FIFA winning a court hearing enabling them to lawfully prohibit people showing the lion-and-sun flags on the grounds of them carrying a political message and potentially causing disturbances.
—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Hayes pointed to a 17-year-old who was shot during last year's fireworks, along with recent youth disturbances across the region.
—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Until then, scientists generally associated major space-weather disturbances with periods of intense solar and geomagnetic activity.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
While no major storm is forecast, even moderate disturbances can enhance visibility under dark, clear skies.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Immediately upon the signing of this MoU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days.
—
Npr Staff,
NPR,
18 June 2026
Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days.
—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2026
Zinnias have deep root systems that don’t respond well to disturbances when actively growing; the stress of transplanting reduces flower production.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
Those supporters were left unchallenged by stewards, despite FIFA winning a court hearing enabling them to lawfully prohibit people showing the lion-and-sun flags on the grounds of them carrying a political message and potentially causing disturbances.
—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Hayes pointed to a 17-year-old who was shot during last year's fireworks, along with recent youth disturbances across the region.
—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbances
Noun
-
Over the past year, men’s ski jumping has been marred by Norway’s cheating scandal and more recent genital manipulation rumors, which has become one of the early commotions of the Milano-Cortina Games.
Noun
-
Flight disruptions can be especially stressful for blind passengers when airport assistance is inadequate.
-
Meanwhile, potential trade disruptions loom.
Noun
-
The everyday realities of life under the occupation, including the hassles and harassments of bureaucratic delays and security checkpoints, can suddenly become matters of life and death.
Noun
-
About two couples, connected and dependent on one another, raising their kids alongside each other, facing the same turmoils, the same existential questions.
-
Mayer and Strong offer a broad pop-history lesson, in which the same tensions and turmoils churn on and on in their terrible cycle throughout the decades; the only thing that’s changed are the aesthetics.
Noun
-
The new trains have open gangways, allowing riders and police to walk from one end to the other, and have microphones strategically located to alert officials to loud noises that may indicate a need for security intervention.
-
According to George Shaw, director of systems at Precision Garage Door Service, any unusual, new, or excessive noises your garage door makes during operation are red flags.
Noun
-
Refrigerated pie crust helps this pie come together with just a few stirs of the whisk.
Noun
-
The Philippines is battered by about 20 typhoons and storms each year.
-
Farther south, including Colorado Springs and Pueblo, the severe threat may last later Tuesday night as storms move southeast across the plains.
Cite this Entry
“Disturbances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbances. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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