perturb

verb

pər-ˈtərb How to pronounce perturb (audio)
Definition of perturbnext
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the caller's strange remark perturbed me enough to keep me awake that night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb perturb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perturb are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, fluster, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

In what contexts can agitate take the place of perturb?

Although the words agitate and perturb have much in common, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

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

When would discompose be a good substitute for perturb?

While the synonyms discompose and perturb are close in meaning, 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 is disquiet a more appropriate choice than perturb?

While in some cases nearly identical to perturb, disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When can disturb be used instead of perturb?

In some situations, the words disturb and perturb are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to perturb?

The words fluster and perturb can be used in similar contexts, but fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When might upset be a better fit than perturb?

The meanings of upset and perturb largely overlap; however, 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 perturb That didn't perturb Candice however, and the couple filled out the paperwork to adopt Dobby straight away. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025 Solène doesn’t seem perturbed, and this is the beginning of me feeling insane. —Emma Soren, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2025 Trump said he was perturbed by the Ukrainian leader’s resistance. —Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 11 Aug. 2025 Coleman found no pretentiousness in Trafford, and he was not perturbed by the drop in facilities compared to the Etihad Campus. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perturb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perturb
  1. disturb
  2. distract
  3. bother
  4. alarm
  5. worry
  6. unsettle
  7. concern
  8. agitate
Verb
  • There’s a certain freedom not having social media available from your app launcher, knowing you won’t get disturbed on this device, but are still able to sit back with a good book, some light jazz, and… not much else.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Unfollow accounts that regularly share disturbing images.
    — Annie Margaret, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • But Henry gets distracted by a massive prison explosion, allowing Jonah to plunge a hidden knife into his chest.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This might mean dropping a product line that’s profitable but distracts from your core business, or saying no to a good opportunity that isn’t aligned with your growth strategy.
    — Minna Hu, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of distract
Verb
  • This takes two seconds, and she doesn’t get bothered at all.
    — Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Polarity numbs himself with alcohol and can’t be bothered with God U’s suspicious new Dean, aptly named Cipher (Hamish Linklater).
    — Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Alyssa’s trip didn’t alarm her mother.
    — Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue was alarmed by the Chiefs’ pass rush.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • Coliseum officials did weigh the possibility of sidestepping the permitting issue altogether — or at least letting the purchasers worry about it.
    — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • As the respiratory virus season arrives, some still worry that so many statements and counter-statements about vaccines will ultimately create a chilling effect.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of worry
Verb
  • If United play directly into Mbeumo on the right flank and use him as the outlet on the counter, the former Brentford forward could unsettle City.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Kirk assassination angers and unsettles leaders, residents The assassination of Kirk, which happened in front of hundreds of people and was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has in particular rattled the nation and drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum.
    — Mark Vancleave, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of unsettle
Verb
  • It is concerned solely with the here-and-now, preserving the peace for just one more day, and waiting for the CCP to collapse like the imperial dynasties that ruled China before.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The final campaign finance report for the 2024 general election and the annual report concerning remaining campaign funds were filed on April 30 of this year, according to records in the Saline County clerk's office.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Skilled content creators know that their content has to do more than agitate problems and provide solutions.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • If the leaves are especially dirty, soak in cold water, gently agitating them to loosen dirt and grit.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

pertness
perturb
perturbable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturb. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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