disruptive

adjective

dis·​rup·​tive dis-ˈrəp-tiv 

: disrupting or tending to disrupt some process, activity, condition, etc. : causing or tending to cause disruption

a disruptive weather pattern

It is hoped that, if the child learns that disruptive behavior brings no rewards, his tantrums will diminish and perhaps stop.

—Susan Sheehan

In recent years, airlines began to carry plastic handcuffs as a way to restrain disruptive passengers.

—Erik Holm

Other teammates marvel at how easily he morphs from a mild-mannered family man in the locker room into a disruptive force on the field.

—Jefri Chadiha

disruptively adverb

acting disruptively

disruptiveness noun

… the disruptiveness of climatic change will depend strongly on the rate of change.

—Roger Revelle

Examples of disruptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Such a diversified approach could allow funds to capture a larger share of potentially disruptive innovations. —Dr Guenther Dobrauz-Saldapenna, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

All of the executives, including Cook, emphasized that despite the massively disruptive potential of AI, Apple was going to handle this game-changing tech with the same clarity and meticulousness the company is known for. —Steven Levy, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024

Paul Audley, president of the nonprofit group FilmLA, presented research about disruptive trends in the industry and the opportunity for California to provide more tax credit incentives to boost local production. —Matt Minton, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

Some in Trump's orbit have floated the idea of demoting or firing Barr, which could lead to a disruptive legal battle. —Courtenay Brown, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

disruptive

adjective

dis·​rup·​tive dis-ˈrəp-tiv 

: characterized by psychologically disorganized behavior

a confused, incoherent, and disruptive patient in the manic phase