disturbances

plural of disturbance
1
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

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 disturbances To prevent future disturbances, the jail is shifting its operational approach. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 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 The auroral activity apparently caused some magnetic disturbances in the atmosphere, so that for three days we were almost blacked out on the radio. Marc Terziev, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026 When galaxies heavy with dark matter cross those streams, astrophysicists can study the disturbances left behind to infer important properties like their speed and density. Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 30 June 2026 The blunt notice follows a weekend of disturbances, fights and destructive behavior attributed to large groups of teens that gathered in downtown Greenville, officials said. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026 Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 The Saharan Air Layer can suppress thunderstorm development and increase atmospheric stability across parts of the tropical Atlantic, temporarily reducing the odds that disturbances develop into tropical storms or hurricanes. Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 29 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
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.
    Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • While no one wants a bad night's sleep, most of us experience occasional sleep disruptions stemming from familiar culprits like late-night doomscrolling, too much caffeine, stress or an inconsistent bedtime routine.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • And just two weeks ago, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published a sweeping policy memo doubling down on his warnings that AI will produce labor market disruptions larger and longer-lasting than any previous technological shift.
    Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 2026
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.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • About two couples, connected and dependent on one another, raising their kids alongside each other, facing the same turmoils, the same existential questions.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
  • 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.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
  • Karissa Waddick Some veterans who experience post-traumatic stress related to loud noises are finding relief this year.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Owners should desensitize pets to loud noises by playing firework sounds with positive reinforcement.
    Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Refrigerated pie crust helps this pie come together with just a few stirs of the whisk.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Many countries, already facing political storms and serious fiscal problems, will struggle to meaningfully cut their welfare systems or change their spending models, said Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • Almost two years ago, China’s east coast was smacked by one of the strongest storms in decades, which temporarily halted container operations at both Shanghai and Ningbo ports.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 8 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disturbances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbances. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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