Definition of disturbnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disturb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disturb are agitate, discompose, disquiet, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When is it sensible to use agitate instead of disturb?

In some situations, the words agitate and disturb are roughly equivalent. However, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When is discompose a more appropriate choice than disturb?

The synonyms discompose and disturb are sometimes interchangeable, but discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When can disquiet be used instead of disturb?

The meanings of disquiet and disturb largely overlap; however, disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When would fluster be a good substitute for disturb?

While the synonyms fluster and disturb are close in meaning, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disturb?

Although the words perturb and disturb have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

In what contexts can upset take the place of disturb?

The words upset and disturb can be used in similar contexts, but upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disturb Crawling toward the cloaca maxima, careful not to disturb the turds. Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 New research from Georgia Tech sheds disturbing light on the September 2024 BioLab fire in Rockdale County that prompted evacuations, shelter-in-place orders and major road closures. Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 29 June 2026 The first trailer stars Keitel drinking in a bar, while the second sees DeVito’s sleep getting disturbed by a phone call. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026 What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict. Bob Wojnowski, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disturb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturb
Verb
  • For all the chatter about his choices in handbags, Haaland doesn’t seem remotely bothered.
    Teddy Brown, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Three of the reports stemmed from consumers swallowing the metal pieces and seeking medical treatment to remove them from their digestive tract or throat, the agency said.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • Residents objected to removing trees and other construction activities.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
  • The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • At 53%, most Americans worry AI could cost them or someone in their household a job, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released in June.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The 2025 outbreak was HPAI, and that’s the strain that continues to worry veterinarians and poultry scientists.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Now the county is weighing greenlighting a nearly $80,000 event.
    Olivia Young, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • The department’s definition laid out several criteria used to weigh if degrees count as professional programs.
    Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Efforts to organize and tidy often turned into sitting on the floor surrounded by piles of stuff and getting easily distracted with sentimental finds.
    Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 29 June 2026
  • But that was a bit ago, and there is a theory now that perhaps this is starting to leak, or maybe be confirmed soon, to distract from the recent, very poor performance of Supergirl in theaters.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • They can also be used to keep the satellite in orbit over the years, or potentially relocate the satellite later down the line.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
  • However, Archie has remained largely out of the public eye since Meghan and Harry stepped back from their royal roles in 2020 and relocated to California.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • That is important because a boxy robotaxi that can drive both ways may confuse pedestrians, cyclists or other drivers.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • One of the biggest mistakes students make is confusing a loan approval with an affordability recommendation.
    Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturb. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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