1
as in to break
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
an earthquake that had disrupted the elevated highway in several places
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disturb
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the arrival of a baby in the household would totally disrupt their established routine
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disrupt
In the moments leading up to the exchange, Johnson used her closing comments to portray herself as a steadfast voice for her constituents, even if that means disrupting the status quo.
—
Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
The reshuffle also seemed to disrupt the balance elsewhere, notably in midfield.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
When United Airlines passengers began getting alerts earlier this month about a technology outage that was disrupting their flights, many undoubtedly felt a sense of déjà vu.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
Traders will be hoping that an end to the Russia-Ukraine war — a conflict which began in 2022 and which has shaken the global economy, disrupting trade and supply chains, and creating geopolitical chasms between major economies in the West and East — could be nearer now than at any other time.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
The reshuffle also seemed to disrupt the balance elsewhere, notably in midfield.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
When United Airlines passengers began getting alerts earlier this month about a technology outage that was disrupting their flights, many undoubtedly felt a sense of déjà vu.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
Traders will be hoping that an end to the Russia-Ukraine war — a conflict which began in 2022 and which has shaken the global economy, disrupting trade and supply chains, and creating geopolitical chasms between major economies in the West and East — could be nearer now than at any other time.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupt
Verb
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Earlier this month, more than 50 women broke into spontaneous applause and cheers when Frierson unexpectedly walked into their meeting.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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Jillian Michaels has loudly broken her silence on a contentious new docuseries on Netflix, which makes claims about the former The Biggest Loser cohost in a variety of its more unsavory scandals.—
Ryan Coleman Published,
EW.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Really disturb Crossword Clue Answer is... Answer: AGITATE For more on USA TODAY's Crossword Puzzles This crossword clue page was generated automatically using information from puzzles.usatoday.com.—
Sally Hoelscher,
USA Today,
27 Aug. 2025
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The zoning violation was issued, per the Monroe Sun, after reports of tourists disturbing neighbors, leaving trash in the area and parking in a manner that blocked access for emergency vehicles.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If the community fractures over which path to take, and no consensus emerges, adoption may be stalled.—
Korok Ray,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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The star pass rusher was wreaking havoc on the NFL last season before fracturing his tibia and fibula in Week 6.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Day-to-day practice has long relied on clinical tools that confuse race with biology.—
Craig Spencer,
The Atlantic,
29 Aug. 2025
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Leadership upheaval has inevitably confused the Athleta brand and after being a star while its parent floundered, two years into Dickson’s tenure the tables have turned.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Their job was to destroy the Amazon to make room for raising cattle.—
Terrence McCoy The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
31 Aug. 2025
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If allowed to stand, this Decision would literally destroy the United States of America.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday Ahn slowly shuffled to a bridge leading to the Korean Peninsula’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), pleading for permission to cross the zone – one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world – and enter North Korea.—
Gawon Bae,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
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My shortlist of 50 wouldn’t have shuffled Braid, Celeste, or Terraria to this section, but, y’know, different strokes.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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An older test tube study found that Essiac tea could reduce harmful molecules called free radicals and protect DNA from damage.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
31 Aug. 2025
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Their antenna can dynamically adjust the frequency range by reconfiguring its shape to adapt to changing environmental conditions, reducing the need for multiple antennas, according to a forthcoming paper in The Proceedings of UIST'25.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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They were disorganized and inefficient, their battles had been going poorly, and their leadership suffered from corruption and distrust.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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In high school, she was disorganized and distracted.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupt. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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