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
The team is a military police unit trained to respond to civil disturbances.
—
Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
The best chance to see the aurora is expected overnight from Thursday, April 9, into the early hours of April 10, when incoming solar wind disturbances may temporarily push Earth's magnetic field into G1 (minor) geomagnetic form levels, according to NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Still, the disturbances to the energy sector have left aviation leaders feeling as though there’s no quick fix.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
This transition starts in the brain, with symptoms such as mood changes, anxiety, and irritability, along with weight gain and sleep disturbances, Haver explains.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 8 Apr. 2026
Human disturbances, such as kayak or other boat traffic, can interfere with rest and energy balance.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
Saturday, when police responded to multiple disturbances within the southwest area of the city, FOX 5 reported.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
An active weather pattern returns by the end of the week due to a southerly wind, an increase in moisture, and a few different disturbances.
—Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
However, today’s quantum hardware suffers from tiny disturbances (noise) from the environment, which can quickly derail these calculations.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
The best chance to see the aurora is expected overnight from Thursday, April 9, into the early hours of April 10, when incoming solar wind disturbances may temporarily push Earth's magnetic field into G1 (minor) geomagnetic form levels, according to NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Still, the disturbances to the energy sector have left aviation leaders feeling as though there’s no quick fix.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
This transition starts in the brain, with symptoms such as mood changes, anxiety, and irritability, along with weight gain and sleep disturbances, Haver explains.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 8 Apr. 2026
Human disturbances, such as kayak or other boat traffic, can interfere with rest and energy balance.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
Saturday, when police responded to multiple disturbances within the southwest area of the city, FOX 5 reported.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
An active weather pattern returns by the end of the week due to a southerly wind, an increase in moisture, and a few different disturbances.
—Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
However, today’s quantum hardware suffers from tiny disturbances (noise) from the environment, which can quickly derail these calculations.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 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
-
Gas prices have surged more than a dollar per gallon for regular unleaded since the conflict with Iran began, driven up mainly by disruptions to global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Some brokers also offer flight insurance to cover logistical or mechanical disruptions, including replacement aircraft when needed.—
Daniel Cote,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 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
-
Warning signs of failure include strange noises or vibrations, constant running, rust, and odors.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But her vitals are strong and there’s startling force in her unpredictable convulsions and bone-chilling noises.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The reason for the storms today is due to a boundary and the jet stream parked right on top of us.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
America’s aging power system is strained by more extreme storms and now electricity demand growth that is poised to expand at an unprecedented clip.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disturbances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbances. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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