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
What really disturbs professionals is the FDA’s injection of inconsistency into its reviews of drug applications.
—
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
By cross-pollinating different groups of thinkers, Seth disturbs the pattern-completion machinery of each mind, clearing the ground for alternative insights to land.
—Rachel Barr, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Though the time change allows for more daylight in the spring and summer evenings, many have argued the change disturbs the body's circadian rhythms and has significant health drawbacks.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
For instance, the downward airflow from the drone propellers disturbs the dust, increasing contamination risks, and the team had to develop additional safety measures to mitigate them.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Another possibility is that there is a relic magnetic field that exists between galaxies which remains from the early universe and disturbs low-energy gamma-rays.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The water is perfectly clear — until someone brushes the side of the cave or disturbs the soft bottom, sending fine silt particles billowing into the beam of a headlamp.
—Jennifer Walker, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
By cross-pollinating different groups of thinkers, Seth disturbs the pattern-completion machinery of each mind, clearing the ground for alternative insights to land.
—Rachel Barr, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Though the time change allows for more daylight in the spring and summer evenings, many have argued the change disturbs the body's circadian rhythms and has significant health drawbacks.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
For instance, the downward airflow from the drone propellers disturbs the dust, increasing contamination risks, and the team had to develop additional safety measures to mitigate them.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
Another possibility is that there is a relic magnetic field that exists between galaxies which remains from the early universe and disturbs low-energy gamma-rays.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
The water is perfectly clear — until someone brushes the side of the cave or disturbs the soft bottom, sending fine silt particles billowing into the beam of a headlamp.
—Jennifer Walker, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbs
Verb
-
One thing that bothers him, though, is the calls from GVA asking for cash to shore up financing on the underwater properties as loan rates skyrocketed and monthly debt servicing led to losses.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Most people are able to put the splint away once their plantar fasciitis no longer bothers them.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The gentle formula removes dirt and product buildup with a mild lather without irritating the scalp.—
Jamie Wilson,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, using automation tools removes much of the mental work that can make saving feel overwhelming in the first place.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Recent weather extremes in the South and East are examples of what global warming can cause — a warmer Arctic that disrupts the polar vortex and pushes cold weather and snow farther south.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Bad Bunny disrupts this pattern by refusing separation between cultural celebration and political truth.—
Dr. Carlos A Torre,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One of its two young sibling protagonists, Amber (Bianca Belle), channels her feelings about the recent death of her mother into drawings of creatures born out of her troubled imagination, some of whom enact violence against the classmate who annoys her.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
There's just one thing about Claire Danes that annoys Matthew Rhys.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
22 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In fact, Kellie Delka stands just 5-foot-3 and weighs about 120 pounds.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The aircraft weighs nearly 11,000 pounds.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Choose roof shingles that complement your home's architecture and exterior color palette, treating the roof as a subtle backdrop that enhances rather than distracts.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Boardwalk trails zig to a marsh overlook, zagging back to a museum that pleasantly distracts the kids.—
Outside,
Outside,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The fuel shortages have also hurt tourism on the island, with some agencies canceling trips as the government shuts down some hotels and relocates tourists in an effort to save electricity.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions trade group relocates from Alexandria, Virginia, to Orlando.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
No one confuses kilowatt-hours with productivity, yet no serious economy flies blind without tracking them.—
Noosheen Hashemi,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Where the Roma obscured the line between a classic grand tourer and a sports car with supercar tendencies, the Amalfi confuses things further.—
Jonny Lieberman,
Robb Report,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disturbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbs. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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