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
The change would be disruptive, but would have benefits, said Allie O’Rourke, a special education teacher at Kyrene de la Estrella who served on the committee.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In the same vein, look for and build up leaders within your organization who are willing to try something different and be disruptive while embracing uncertainty, even when success is not guaranteed.
—Bill Flederbach, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Although a campfire is still an artificial form of light, the warm yellows and reds of its flames are less disruptive to our wake-sleep cycles than the bright, cool blue lights emitted from computers, TVs, and fluorescent bulbs.
—Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025
Gritty club atmospheres, ’80s and ’90s music and disruptive styling that creates contrast between the feminine and the masculine offer a form of escapism in the theme.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
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Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In the same vein, look for and build up leaders within your organization who are willing to try something different and be disruptive while embracing uncertainty, even when success is not guaranteed.
—Bill Flederbach, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Although a campfire is still an artificial form of light, the warm yellows and reds of its flames are less disruptive to our wake-sleep cycles than the bright, cool blue lights emitted from computers, TVs, and fluorescent bulbs.
—Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025
Gritty club atmospheres, ’80s and ’90s music and disruptive styling that creates contrast between the feminine and the masculine offer a form of escapism in the theme.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 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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