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.
In a statement to TheWrap, Sue Obeidi, the director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council's Hollywood bureau, said she was disturbed by the posts. —Dhanika Pineda, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025 This is this scene in ‘The Square,’ when a man jumps on the table to disturb others around him. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025 My earliest memories are these moments of intense observation, sitting in silence to not disturb their process. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 The movie’s very first shot, beautiful yet full of foreboding, finds her swimming in the Atlantic, her peace momentarily disturbed by the roar of a military helicopter overhead. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025 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 11 Feb. 2025.

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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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