1
as in breaking
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
an earthquake that had disrupted the elevated highway in several places
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shuffling
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the arrival of a baby in the household would totally disrupt their established routine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disrupting
While Andreessen saw software disrupting industries, Morgan Stanley sees AI disrupting labor itself.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Want to know more about how AI is disrupting Hollywood?
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Even minimal elastane content can contaminate textile recycling streams, disrupting fiber-to-fiber recovery for high-volume materials like cotton and polyester.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
Symptoms of depression can develop, further disrupting sleep patterns.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
All but two of the products contained a hazardous chemical, and nearly 10 percent of them had organotin compounds—synthetic chemicals linked to endocrine-disrupting effects.
—Aude Konan, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
But as the planet warms, the coldest nights of the year are also getting warmer across the United States, potentially disrupting both the benefits and risks associated with freezing conditions.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
In simple terms, space warfare is about controlling, or disrupting, the satellites and space systems modern militaries rely on every day.
—Emma Withrow, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Two Minnesota school districts and the state's largest teachers union on Wednesday sued to block federal immigration agents from showing up to school property, which educators say is distressing families and disrupting student learning.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Want to know more about how AI is disrupting Hollywood?
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Even minimal elastane content can contaminate textile recycling streams, disrupting fiber-to-fiber recovery for high-volume materials like cotton and polyester.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
Symptoms of depression can develop, further disrupting sleep patterns.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
All but two of the products contained a hazardous chemical, and nearly 10 percent of them had organotin compounds—synthetic chemicals linked to endocrine-disrupting effects.
—Aude Konan, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
But as the planet warms, the coldest nights of the year are also getting warmer across the United States, potentially disrupting both the benefits and risks associated with freezing conditions.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
In simple terms, space warfare is about controlling, or disrupting, the satellites and space systems modern militaries rely on every day.
—Emma Withrow, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Two Minnesota school districts and the state's largest teachers union on Wednesday sued to block federal immigration agents from showing up to school property, which educators say is distressing families and disrupting student learning.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupting
Verb
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The Games also keep broadening their reach to new or revisited sports – breaking (breakdancing) in Paris; ski mountaineering in Milan; squash, lacrosse, cricket and flag football in Los Angeles.—
Dana ONeil,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Bjoergen captures her 11th career medal, breaking a three-way tie with Russian Raisa Smetanina and Italian Stefania Belmondo.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bridgerton treats it as though every woman got multiples of their yearbook photo to hand around as headshots, and Benedict’s taking what would have been treasured personal heirlooms and just shuffling through them and tossing out anyone with the wrong hair color.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Silvia showed them little affection or attention, shuffling quickly through the infants to feed, change, or hold them.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One flight attendant was lifted to the celling and then thrown to the floor, fracturing her spine.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Saxon had abused the woman for years, fracturing her hip and nose and causing internal bleeding, a judge found in a ruling ordering him detained pending trial.—
Ryan J. Foley,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The documents, which are unclassified FBI and Department of Homeland Security intelligence reports, provide disturbing new insights into the growing problem – and also illustrate law enforcement’s struggle to crack down on the decentralized movement.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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With their special technology, the cameras can take high-quality videos of animals at night without disturbing them.—
Charles Seabrook,
AJC.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But when the other side is destroying it, there are worse things to be than the alternative.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The European Union is moving forward with its ban on destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Registration deadlines, confusing rules and inconsistent access make participation harder at the very moment young people become eligible to vote.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition to the effects of the pandemic and tariffs, climate issues — drought in Vietnam, heavy rain in Indonesia, and hot, dry weather in Brazil — are blamed for reducing yields of coffee crops and driving up global prices.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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That means air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration will receive paychecks as usual, reducing the risk of widespread flight cancellations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That gold came in the men’s competition, with a team led by John Shuster upsetting Canada in the semifinals, then besting Sweden in the final.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Decent-sized boulders were no match for the air springs, which absorbed them with ease and allowed the tires to drive right over them without upsetting the balance.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupting. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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