1
as in commotions
a state of noisy, confused activity
went to investigate the disturbance outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disruptions
an act or instance of the order of things being disturbed
caused a disturbance in the carefully ordered proceedings
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in harassments
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
the assistant apologized for the disturbance and got straight to the point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disturbances
Commercial airplanes cruise at speeds of up to 600 miles per hour (521 knots) at altitudes between 30,000 and 42,000 feet, levels which are specifically selected to reduce disturbances.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Several fungal species are most often carried by dust and other soil disturbances, posing health risks when inhaled.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Our weather pattern has changed, and several disturbances out in the Pacific will make a run at North Texas in the next couple of days.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Sponsored by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, the amendment was put forth in February as a means to decrease crime, litter, public drunkenness and other disturbances.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Municipal Court Judge Brad Greenberg heard more than 10 of the cases Friday morning involving people arrested during the disturbances on Opening Day.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026
These symptoms include abdominal or pelvic cramping, fatigue, mood changes, headaches, irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, sleep disturbances and cognitive changes.
—Ann Juliano, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
The Journal Sentinel asked police departments in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha and Racine for reports from schools related to weapons possession, shots fired, terrorist threats and other disturbances that mentioned guns or other dangerous weapons.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026
That might explain some of the high percentages of people reporting both sleep disturbances and anxiety and mood changes in the research.
—Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 14 Mar. 2025
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Several fungal species are most often carried by dust and other soil disturbances, posing health risks when inhaled.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Our weather pattern has changed, and several disturbances out in the Pacific will make a run at North Texas in the next couple of days.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Sponsored by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, the amendment was put forth in February as a means to decrease crime, litter, public drunkenness and other disturbances.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Municipal Court Judge Brad Greenberg heard more than 10 of the cases Friday morning involving people arrested during the disturbances on Opening Day.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026
These symptoms include abdominal or pelvic cramping, fatigue, mood changes, headaches, irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, sleep disturbances and cognitive changes.
—Ann Juliano, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
The Journal Sentinel asked police departments in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha and Racine for reports from schools related to weapons possession, shots fired, terrorist threats and other disturbances that mentioned guns or other dangerous weapons.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026
That might explain some of the high percentages of people reporting both sleep disturbances and anxiety and mood changes in the research.
—Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbances
Noun
-
Over the past year, men’s ski jumping has been marred by Norway’s cheating scandal and more recent genital manipulation rumors, which has become one of the early commotions of the Milano-Cortina Games.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Industry leaders also say the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route now being impeded by the war, must reopen by mid-April or supply disruptions could worsen significantly.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The price of ammonia and urea, two fertilizer ingredients seeing disruptions, are up around 20% and 50% percent, respectively, since the start of the Iran war, according to Oxford Economics.—
Lana Zak,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The everyday realities of life under the occupation, including the hassles and harassments of bureaucratic delays and security checkpoints, can suddenly become matters of life and death.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
About two couples, connected and dependent on one another, raising their kids alongside each other, facing the same turmoils, the same existential questions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Mayer and Strong offer a broad pop-history lesson, in which the same tensions and turmoils churn on and on in their terrible cycle throughout the decades; the only thing that’s changed are the aesthetics.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
-
Ajmera said her neighbors worry the center could impact their water bills or introduce loud humming noises to the largely residential area.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Desensitize to loud or unusual noises—play recordings of transit sounds—such as subway announcements or car horns—while offering treats to create positive associations.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even minor changes in clouds, wind or storms can force delays, especially for a mission of this scale.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
For people living along the coast, sand also defends against intense storms and sea level rise fueled by climate change.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disturbances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbances. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
