1
as in breaks
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
an earthquake that had disrupted the elevated highway in several places
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disturbs
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 disrupts
Live Local also disrupts years of successful and careful planning by the city to promote compatible, consistent development in neighborhoods like Wynwood.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
After all, the status quo looks safer than making a big bet on something that disrupts everything from operations to revenue.
—
James Loffler,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Sylvia Rhone was recognized as the Ultimate Icon at the 2026 BET Awards and delivered a powerful message about protecting creativity as tech disrupts the industry.
—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
28 June 2026
The gerrymander, which significantly disrupts four Central Florida seats (DIstricts 8 9, 10 and 11) will be baked in for at least this year’s primary and general elections.
—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2026
Each surgery disrupts blood supply to the skin and lays down a new layer of scar tissue, meaning the risks compound with every procedure.
—
Victoria Oliva,
Allure,
23 June 2026
Xenotransplantation disrupts this trajectory.
—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
20 June 2026
Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the toys have their world and playtime turned upside-down when a smart tablet named Lilypad disrupts everything.
—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Ukraine disrupts Russian supply lines Along with pledges of more diplomatic and military help at the G-7 summit, Ukraine has recently gained momentum on the battlefield against Russia’s bigger army, thanks to its high-tech drones, Western officials and analysts say.
—
Barry Hatton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
After all, the status quo looks safer than making a big bet on something that disrupts everything from operations to revenue.
—
James Loffler,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Sylvia Rhone was recognized as the Ultimate Icon at the 2026 BET Awards and delivered a powerful message about protecting creativity as tech disrupts the industry.
—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
28 June 2026
The gerrymander, which significantly disrupts four Central Florida seats (DIstricts 8 9, 10 and 11) will be baked in for at least this year’s primary and general elections.
—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2026
Each surgery disrupts blood supply to the skin and lays down a new layer of scar tissue, meaning the risks compound with every procedure.
—
Victoria Oliva,
Allure,
23 June 2026
Xenotransplantation disrupts this trajectory.
—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
20 June 2026
Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the toys have their world and playtime turned upside-down when a smart tablet named Lilypad disrupts everything.
—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Ukraine disrupts Russian supply lines Along with pledges of more diplomatic and military help at the G-7 summit, Ukraine has recently gained momentum on the battlefield against Russia’s bigger army, thanks to its high-tech drones, Western officials and analysts say.
—
Barry Hatton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupts
Verb
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The job is not just knowing the product or having the right answer, but being the person someone calls when something breaks or a deadline slips.
-
The party has found a kind of rhythm, where the president breaks fundraising records, spreads the wealth around, and, in return, gets to humiliate disloyal Republicans in seats that the party can’t lose.
Verb
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Tilling or plowing in the summer disturbs the soil's delicate ecosystem and exposes moist soil to rapid water loss.
-
The pier in Michigan City’s Washington Park disturbs the natural flow of sand along the lakeshore, creating new land east of the pier but starving beaches to the west, an erosion problem repeated by other manmade structures that jut out into Lake Michigan.
Verb
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What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn – amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action – gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.
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Arrrives, destroys Femi and hands Main Event Jey the crown.
Verb
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These opportunists drown out the core mission, creating a cacophony of competing voices that confuses donors, crowd the inboxes of CEOs and members of Congress with colliding petitions, and paralyzes meaningful action by draining critical funding and attention away from the truly effective groups.
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But nobody confuses Harvard Extension School classes with the real thing.
Verb
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When ambitious young athlete Jamal (Stenline) enters her life and confronts the dangerous world around her, everything fractures.
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And Mary’s electric, palpably physical pursuit of justice becomes even more crucial in the final act, after a grotesque display of performative mockery toward Māori culture fractures the last remnants of civility present amid one of Cole’s lavish-yet-repulsive gatherings.
Verb
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As though on cue, Wardrobe — my beloved, and giant, closet — shuffles over from the corner of my room, the mahogany wood groaning with the effort.
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As the entire Qatar back line shuffles closer to the goal, Jonathan David drops off towards the penalty spot to receive the cross in space and shoot first time.
Verb
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Good posture helps prevent aches in the back, neck and shoulders, reduces joint wear and lowers the risk of sports injuries, according to Cleveland Clinic.
-
Skipping the stove and oven also reduces indoor heat, so lean on cold sandwiches, salads and no-cook meals during the worst hours.
Verb
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The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
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Even those who can afford to stay suffer losses in home equity and lifestyle as the community around them disintegrates or disappears.
Cite this Entry
“Disrupts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupts. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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