disruptive
adjective
dis·rup·tive
dis-ˈrəp-tiv 
: disrupting or tending to disrupt some process, activity, condition, etc. : causing or tending to cause disruption
a disruptive weather pattern
It is hoped that, if the child learns that disruptive behavior brings no rewards, his tantrums will diminish and perhaps stop.—
Susan Sheehan
Susan SheehanIn recent years, airlines began to carry plastic handcuffs as a way to restrain disruptive passengers.—Erik Holm
Erik HolmOther teammates marvel at how easily he morphs from a mild-mannered family man in the locker room into a disruptive force on the field.—Jefri Chadiha
Jefri Chadiha
disruptively
adverb
acting disruptively
disruptiveness
noun
… the disruptiveness of climatic change will depend strongly on the rate of change.
—Roger Revelle
Roger Revelle
Examples of disruptive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On April 24, UT students began their protests and were met by dozens of police officers called by the university, which feared the protests would escalate into disruptive encampments like those rippling across the nation.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Since launching in March, this disruptive new platform has already brought in $350 million.
—Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
This program wasn’t in response to any particular teen gathering, Lefko said, but aims to prevent large disruptive teen gatherings.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Germany's Volkswagen on Friday lowered its full-year guidance and reported a sharp drop in second-quarter profit, as the auto giant navigates the disruptive impact of U.S. tariffs.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruptive
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Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Since launching in March, this disruptive new platform has already brought in $350 million.
—Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
This program wasn’t in response to any particular teen gathering, Lefko said, but aims to prevent large disruptive teen gatherings.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Germany's Volkswagen on Friday lowered its full-year guidance and reported a sharp drop in second-quarter profit, as the auto giant navigates the disruptive impact of U.S. tariffs.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruptive
Cite this Entry
“Disruptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruptive. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
disruptive
adjective
dis·rup·tive
dis-ˈrəp-tiv
: characterized by psychologically disorganized behavior
a confused, incoherent, and disruptive patient in the manic phase
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