disturb

verb

dis·​turb di-ˈstərb How to pronounce disturb (audio)
disturbed; disturbing; disturbs
Synonyms of disturbnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to interfere with : interrupt
disturbing the flow of traffic
b
: to alter the position or arrangement of
the items on her desk had been disturbed
c
: to upset the natural and especially the ecological balance or relations of
wetlands disturbed by development
2
a
: to destroy the tranquility or composure of
The noisy lawnmower disturbed their sleep.
was disturbed by his bizarre behavior
b
: to throw into disorder
disturbing our routine
c
: alarm
trying not to disturb the sleeping dogs
d
: to put to inconvenience
sorry to disturb you at such a late hour

intransitive verb

: to cause disturbance
disturber noun
disturbingly
di-ˈstər-biŋ-lē How to pronounce disturb (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for disturb

discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action.

discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

Examples of disturb in a Sentence

I'm sorry to disturb you at such a late hour. She doesn't want to be disturbed while she's working. Don't disturb the baby when he's sleeping. The noise disturbed my concentration.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The photos, not graphic but disturbing all the same, were allegedly taken at the scene of the Delphi murders — the double homicide of two best friends, Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, in rural Delphi, Indiana, in 2017. —Aja Romano, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024 The skit started with the actors seeming disturbed. —Dennis Romero, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024 While unlawful crossings remain low, some U.S. officials are concerned the presidential election could disturb the fragile equilibrium achieved at the southern border in recent months. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024 This is important to consider if you're easily disturbed by movement and share a bed with a partner or pets. —Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disturb 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disturben, destourben, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French destorber, from Latin disturbare, from dis- + turbare to throw into disorder, from turba disorder — more at turbid

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of disturb was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing disturb

Dictionary Entries Near disturb

distune

disturb

disturbance

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Disturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturb. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

disturb

verb
dis·​turb dis-ˈtərb How to pronounce disturb (audio)
1
a
: to interfere with : interrupt
b
: to change the position, arrangement, or stability of
2
a
: to trouble the mind of : make uneasy
b
: to throw into confusion or disorder
c
: to cause bother to
disturber noun

Legal Definition

disturb

transitive verb
dis·​turb
1
: to destroy the tranquility or composure of
2
: to throw into disorder

intransitive verb

: to cause disturbance

More from Merriam-Webster on disturb

Nglish: Translation of disturb for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of disturb for Arabic Speakers

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