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

The project will require trenching under the pathway and Dish’s agreement with the city is to restore any disturbed areas from the routing to existing conditions or better. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025

When the soil or plant material is disturbed, tiny spores can be released into the air. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025

After Cornell's burial on the farm, a disturbed Dr. Wilbur revealed to Durfee what Cornell had told him: Avery had assaulted her at a camp meeting that August. —Melissa Gray, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025

Many clients are anxious and disturbed, not only because relatives’ flights have been canceled, but because of other actions the administration has already taken to clamp down on immigration. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 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