perturbation
noun
per·tur·ba·tion
ˌpər-tər-ˈbā-shən 
ˌpər-ˌtər-
1
: the action of perturbing : the state of being perturbed
2
: a disturbance of motion, course, arrangement, or state of equilibrium
especially
: a disturbance of the regular and usually elliptical course of motion of a celestial body that is produced by some force additional to that which causes its regular motion
Synonyms
Examples of perturbation in a Sentence
a perturbation in the planet's orbit
in her perturbation she kept calling her son, a freshman, to see if everything was all right at college
Recent Examples on the Web
However, perturbations from the sun's gravity will ultimately break this temporary gravitational dance, sending 2024 PT5 back to its home in the Arjuna belt.
—
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Relative genotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons inferred from free energy perturbation approaches.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
But neither would cryptorchidism, perturbations in thyroid hormone, reproductive issues and developmental issues in children, which epidemiological studies have shown to be associated with BFR exposure.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
As scientists tried to make sense of dinosaur and mastodon bones and the stark geological evidence of immense, long-ago perturbations in the Earth’s lands and waters, different schools of thought emerged.
—Brooke Jarvis, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perturbation 
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Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Relative genotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons inferred from free energy perturbation approaches.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
But neither would cryptorchidism, perturbations in thyroid hormone, reproductive issues and developmental issues in children, which epidemiological studies have shown to be associated with BFR exposure.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
As scientists tried to make sense of dinosaur and mastodon bones and the stark geological evidence of immense, long-ago perturbations in the Earth’s lands and waters, different schools of thought emerged.
—Brooke Jarvis, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perturbation
Dictionary Entries Near perturbation
Cite this Entry
“Perturbation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perturbation. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perturbation
noun
per·tur·ba·tion
ˌpərt-ər-ˈbā-shən
ˌpər-ˌtər-
1
: the action of perturbing
2
: the state of being perturbed
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