disrupt

[ dis-ruhpt ]

See synonyms for disrupt on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to cause disorder or turmoil in: The news disrupted their conference.
to destroy, usually temporarily, the normal continuance or unity of; interrupt: Telephone service was disrupted for hours.

to break apart: to disrupt a connection.
Business. to radically change (an industry, business strategy, etc.), as by introducing a new product or service that creates a new market: It’s time to disrupt your old business model.

adjective

broken apart; disrupted.

Origin of disrupt

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin disruptus, variant of dīruptus “broken apart,” past participle of dīrumpere “to break apart,” from dī- di-² + rumpere “to break”

Other words from disrupt

dis·rupt·er, dis·rup·tor, noun
non·dis·rupt·ing, adjective
non·dis·rupt·ing·ly, adverb
un·dis·rupt·ed, adjective

Words Nearby disrupt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use disrupt in a sentence

Peaceful protest is welcome in America today—seeking to disrupt Americans looking to enjoy an NFL game is obnoxious.
It’s Time to Hold Protesters Accountable | Ron Christie | December 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The power of intersex bodies is their ability to disrupt social norms.
Intersexuality and God Through the Ages | Candida Moss | November 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In the process, Apple may be about to disrupt an entirely different market.
Will Apple Take Down the Luxury Watch Industry? | Daniel Gross | September 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
If that failed, they could disrupt the proceedings by threat of force.
The GOP’s Last Identity Crisis Remade U.S. Politics | Michael Wolraich | July 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I think they will go ahead, since the West has advised Russia to not do anything to disrupt them.
Inside ‘Maidan’: Sergei Loznitsa on His Ukrainian Uprising Doc and Putin’s ‘Fascist’ Regime | Richard Porton | May 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

They'll flock to the diamond field and disrupt the operation, and we can move back in to some of the shot stations.
The Flaming Mountain | Harold Leland Goodwin
Each one is a cog in the vast organization and one slip may disrupt the whole arrangement.
Private Peat | Harold R. Peat
One explosive charge per cell, of just sufficient size to disrupt the nucleus.
Greylorn | John Keith Laumer
Meanwhile the petty, local fight had started which was to disrupt this hope of Barton's, and thwart its fulfillment forever.
Tramping on Life | Harry Kemp
Finally, a capitular government in missionary countries was a physical impossibility, and would disrupt the whole Order.
The Jesuits, 1534-1921 | Thomas J. Campbell

British Dictionary definitions for disrupt

disrupt

/ (dɪsˈrʌpt) /

verb

(tr) to throw into turmoil or disorder
(tr) to interrupt the progress of (a movement, meeting, etc)

to break or split (something) apart

Origin of disrupt

C17: from Latin disruptus burst asunder, from dīrumpere to dash to pieces, from dis- 1 + rumpere to burst

Derived forms of disrupt

disrupter or disruptor, noun
disruption, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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