1
as in breaking
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 shuffling
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the arrival of a baby in the household would totally disrupt their established routine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disrupting
Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.
—
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Rather than relying on a future sale, many owners are proactively planning how to fund taxes and expenses without disrupting operations.
—Fennemore, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
And that means disrupting the conditions mosquito larvae need to survive.
—Ryan Brennan
april 30, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
As the war in Iran enters its ninth week with no clear end in sight, shipping traffic in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz has been completely reshaped, heavily disrupting global markets and supply chains for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other essential products.
—Henrik Pettersson, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
An encroaching fog is disrupting the ferry schedule.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
The later post time pushes crowds later into the night, disrupting the usual flow of post-race dining and nightlife that local businesses rely on.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Injuries ravaged the group, disrupting any sense of continuity, and Albin is hoping for far better luck up front this year.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Treasury has issued sanctions on more than 1,000 targets since 2025 under the current maximum pressure campaign, the official said, aimed at disrupting Iran’s oil trade and financial networks.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Rather than relying on a future sale, many owners are proactively planning how to fund taxes and expenses without disrupting operations.
—Fennemore, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
And that means disrupting the conditions mosquito larvae need to survive.
—Ryan Brennan
april 30, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
As the war in Iran enters its ninth week with no clear end in sight, shipping traffic in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz has been completely reshaped, heavily disrupting global markets and supply chains for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other essential products.
—Henrik Pettersson, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
An encroaching fog is disrupting the ferry schedule.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
The later post time pushes crowds later into the night, disrupting the usual flow of post-race dining and nightlife that local businesses rely on.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Injuries ravaged the group, disrupting any sense of continuity, and Albin is hoping for far better luck up front this year.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Treasury has issued sanctions on more than 1,000 targets since 2025 under the current maximum pressure campaign, the official said, aimed at disrupting Iran’s oil trade and financial networks.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupting
Verb
-
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold case investigations and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The passengers include the requisite obnoxious jerk, Dan (Angus Sampson), already throwing his weight around and breaking no-smoking rules at LAX.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There was major line shuffling overall by Cooper on this night, not just Kucherov, but tweaks to three lines, which ended up looking a little different than what was shown in pregame warmup.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
YoshimiO, sharing fellow ’90s icon Flea’s recent interest in the instrument, turns in a credible trumpet line during the track’s shuffling, exuberant second half.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Germany is planning to boost defense spending to reach new NATO targets well ahead of schedule, seeking to bolster self-reliance amid fracturing ties with the US.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But for now, Mendoza argues, the monarchy’s purpose is not governance, but access to the king, which may still have a chance to keep the relationship from fracturing beyond repair.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There is disturbing use by 13-year-olds and those who are older in bike lanes and our once-tranquil walking and bike trails.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Mark Holdbrooks, 69, was found guilty Friday on multiple charges, including murder, theft and disturbing human remains.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some had been there so long that corrosion was destroying them.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
This past offseason, discussion and speculation around Major League Baseball was that the Los Angeles Dodgers would be responsible for destroying the sport and the 2027 season.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Welcome to Asking for a Friend, a weekly series dedicated to solving the messy, awkward, and confusing parts of modern friendship.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
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But factors like confusing trailheads and limited provisions mean that going alone also comes with unique risks.—
Allison Forsyth,
Health,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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MacRumors thinks this could end up reducing the thickness of the iPhone’s display stack while improving brightness and minimizing power use.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Airhart ethos is focused on reducing the cognitive drain on the pilot.—
David Szondy
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The auction initially caused quite a stir, upsetting tried and true gentlemanly practice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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After upsetting Bedlam rival Oklahoma last week, the Cowgirls continued their rise in the rankings by shutting out Texas 5-0 and then sweeping Baylor.—
Molly Keshin,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupting. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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