disturbance

noun

di-ˈstər-bən(t)s How to pronounce disturbance (audio)
Definition of disturbancenext
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity went to investigate the disturbance outside

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disruption
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 harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another the assistant apologized for the disturbance and got straight to the point

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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 disturbance What is known is that asthma has wide-ranging negative effects on those with the disease, causing school and work absences, and sleep disturbances, along with the financial impact of missed work or the expense of treatment. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025 Bryan Mahan, 65, on April 19 Officers responded to a disturbance at 8:15 p.m. in the 3200 block of Brighton Avenue. — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025 Sleep disturbances, and intertwined anxiety, can follow you through the perimenopause period, which could last anywhere from two to 10 years. — Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 14 Mar. 2025 The source of the disturbance was just over a mile deep, experts say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disturbance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbance
  1. commotion
  2. disruption
  3. stir
  4. turmoil
  5. fuss
  6. hurry
  7. noise
Noun
  • Naturally, this means that even something as small as a new shade of Pocket Blush is bound to cause tons of commotion—and spoiler alert, that’s exactly what happened after Hailey’s recent date night routine.
    — Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Pilots heard the commotion and turned the flight around back to Savannah, police said.
    — Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • There were tons of disruptions to business during the era of lockdowns and social distancing, and that hurt the ability of restaurants to serve customers.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike conventional waste heat recovery technologies—which are often bulky, expensive, and difficult to integrate—ATS has developed a compact, scalable solid-state solution with no moving parts that can be integrated into existing infrastructure with minimal disruption.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of disruption
Noun
  • The news, which surfaced late last week when letters to these vendors from Chief Procurement Officer Sharla Roberts were shared with the media, caused an immediate stir and prompted some aldermen to publicly advise contractors not to comply with the request.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Fans of this show based on a treatment by the legendary Bruce Lee caused enough of a stir that it was eventually renewed for Max exclusively, airing a third season on the streaming service.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of stir
Noun
  • But Haiti has been in constant turmoil, hampering U.S. efforts.
    — Gisela Salomon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Such a break in tradition would be catastrophic for the diamond industry, which is already in turmoil.
    — Garth Friesen, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of turmoil
Noun
  • Princess Cruises Offering premium packages without the fuss of some larger companies, Princess Cruises are sophisticated and cater to travelers who value off-boat excursions as much as onboard activities.
    — Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Light, floaty, and romantic, Pottery Barn’s voile bed skirt could easily skew frilly—but bright white cotton and sleek elegant folds help the design steer clear of fuss.
    — Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • Without a truly dominant interior presence, this is what can separate the Huskies in a hurry.
    — Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
  • On the other hand, Walter Clayton Jr. is equally as capable of putting up points in a hurry.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of hurry
Noun
  • Marked down to a $100, these are an incredible bargain considering the sound quality, active noise cancellation, and overall comfy fit.
    — Cierra Cowan, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In a world of noise, the founders who lead with authenticity and consistency are the ones who truly stand out—and win.
    — Danylo Borodchuk, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of noise

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Cite this Entry

“Disturbance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbance. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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