disturbed

adjective

dis·​turbed di-ˈstərbd 

1

: experiencing or exhibiting emotional disturbance or agitation : having a mental disability or illness

… the San Francisco police department, for example, handles 18,000 calls involving emotionally disturbed citizens every year.

—Newsweek

2

a

: characterized or affected by interference, alteration, or disruption

restoration of disturbed habitats

disturbed sleep

b

: departing or deviating from a normal condition : marked by impairment

disturbed glucose metabolism

a disturbed gait

Examples of disturbed in a Sentence

He seems very disturbed about his work lately.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wide view of Fordow enrichment complex showing recent excavation patterns and a trail of disturbed soil, indicating active recovery efforts. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025

The developing caterpillars can retract into their bags when they are disturbed or threatened, says Joseph. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 21 June 2025

Set on the fictional New England island of New Penzance in the 1960s, Sam (Jared Gilman), an emotionally disturbed orphan, and Suzy (Kara Hayward), a sophisticated, yet troubled girl in the vein of Margot Tenenbaum, long to grow up and get away from the chaos that surrounds them. —Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025

Even the engineers quietly building the systems that lead to layoffs feel disturbed. —Catherine Baab, Quartz, 27 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for disturbed

• undisturbed
• unperturbed
• curbed
• perturbed

Kids Definition

disturbed

adjective

dis·​turbed

dis-ˈtərbd

: showing signs of mental or emotional illness

Medical Definition

disturbed

adjective

dis·​turbed dis-ˈtərbd 

1

: experiencing or exhibiting emotional disturbance or agitation : having a mental disability or illness

Emotionally disturbed students over a long period of time and to a marked degree exhibit such characteristics as a general pervasive mood of depression, a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems or an inability to learn.

—Rodney Tanaka, San Gabriel Valley (California) Tribune

2

a

: characterized or affected by alteration or disruption

disturbed sleep

b

: departing or deviating from a normal condition : marked by impairment

disturbed glucose metabolism

a disturbed gait