1
as in bothers
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
all that talk of war disturbed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in removes
to change the place or position of
the items on her desk had been disturbed by someone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disrupts
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
her careful filing system is sure to be disturbed during the move
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in annoys
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
sorry to disturb you while you're working
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in weighs
to cause discomfort to or trouble for
please do not disturb yourself—I'll get my own drink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disturbs
Regardless, there’s a clear symbolism to Clark empathizing and embracing a bloated externalization of his own inchoate fury until someone with an outside perspective disturbs his peace, and that fury breaks loose and devours him.
—
Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
That brings us to the part of the ShotSpotter discussion that perhaps disturbs us most.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Put some kind of barrier around the nest so no one accidentally disturbs them.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
The idea that there can be any kind of misalignment between them, though, disturbs her.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
The worms thrash and move erratically with a snake-like motion that disturbs the topsoil.
—Maria Braganini, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
There are lots of things weightlessness disturbs, even in the short run.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The Leo moon disturbs unconscious patterns that are ready to be interrupted.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Removing nodules from the ocean floor disturbs the silty seabed that's home to many organisms, like worms and small crustaceans, the scientists found.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 29 May 2026
That brings us to the part of the ShotSpotter discussion that perhaps disturbs us most.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Put some kind of barrier around the nest so no one accidentally disturbs them.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
The idea that there can be any kind of misalignment between them, though, disturbs her.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
The worms thrash and move erratically with a snake-like motion that disturbs the topsoil.
—Maria Braganini, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
There are lots of things weightlessness disturbs, even in the short run.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The Leo moon disturbs unconscious patterns that are ready to be interrupted.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Removing nodules from the ocean floor disturbs the silty seabed that's home to many organisms, like worms and small crustaceans, the scientists found.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbs
Verb
-
In New York, there's no worry; no one bothers us.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
30 July 2025
-
If that higher monthly electricity bill bothers you, call Energy Secretary Chris Wright.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The procedure removes part of the stomach, which helps patients feel full on smaller portions of food.—
Beth Sobol,
PEOPLE,
10 Dec. 2025
-
What To Know On Tuesday, the DOJ finalized a rule that removes disparate impact liability from its Title VI regulations.—
Associate News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In their letter, the senators cited the approaching El Niño — a periodic Pacific warming that disrupts weather patterns and supercharges marine heat waves — as evidence the cuts are particularly ill-timed.—
Annika Hammerschlag,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
-
Elizalde’s model at Viva disrupts the way business has been done in the past.—
Karen Idelson,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
That is the kind of talk that annoys Meyer, who noted the San Diego Padres used to take from the revenue-sharing fund and now pay into it.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Each weighs about a third of a pound.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
The whole package weighs just over 200 g (7 oz) – comparable to a mid-range smartphone – and runs on a 1,550-mAh battery rated for up to four hours of use, with an 80% fast-charge in roughly 23 minutes.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 11,
New Atlas,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Chasing the mirage of consciousness distracts from the urgent task of building AI that helps humans without pretending to be human.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Others argue that focusing on AI welfare distracts from urgent human concerns.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The series follows the Clyburns, a wealthy New York City family who relocates to Montana’s Madison River Valley following the deaths of family patriarch Preston (Russell) and his brother Paul (Fox), who were killed in a plane crash.—
Cat Cardenas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
Under the law, state incentives would be clawed back if a team relocates its stadium, headquarters or training facility outside of Missouri.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Verb
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There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership.—
Monica Cutia,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The whole concept of toxic fandom confuses me because, outside of the anger and backwards thinking, because who cares about a movie franchise that much?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disturbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbs. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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