perturb

[ per-turb ]
See synonyms for: perturbperturbedperturbingperturbable on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to disturb or disquiet greatly in mind; agitate: I can see how such a massive change in your routine would perturb you.

  2. to throw into great disorder: Huge construction projects can take years to finish, and meanwhile, can greatly perturb the neighborhood.

  1. Astronomy. to cause perturbation in the orbit of (a celestial body).

Origin of perturb

1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English perturben (from Old French perturber ), from Latin perturbāre “to throw into confusion,” from per- per- + turbāre “to agitate, confuse” (see turbid)

Other words for perturb

Opposites for perturb

Other words from perturb

  • per·turb·a·ble, adjective
  • per·turb·a·bil·i·ty [per-tur-buh-bil-i-tee], /pərˌtɜr bəˈbɪl ɪ ti/, noun
  • per·tur·ba·tious [pur-ter-bey-shuhs], /ˌpɜr tərˈbeɪ ʃəs/, adjective
  • per·tur·ba·tor [pur-ter-bey-ter], /ˈpɜr tərˌbeɪ tər/, per·turb·er, noun
  • per·turb·ing·ly, adverb
  • per·turb·ment, noun
  • non·per·turb·a·ble, adjective
  • non·per·turb·ing, adjective
  • un·per·turb·a·ble, adjective
  • un·per·turb·ing, adjective

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

How to use perturb in a sentence

  • Now I should say that the great run of tide at the south-west end of Aros exercises a perturbing influence round all the coast.

  • He would like to be freed from the dominion of bodily pleasures and of the senses, which are always perturbing his mental vision.

    Phaedo | Plato
  • The real danger would be in the effects which the perturbing action of the larger planets might produce on the orbit of Mercury.

    Myths and Marvels of Astronomy | Richard A. Proctor
  • He received a more perturbing impression than his imperturbable glance implied.

    Paths of Judgement | Anne Douglas Sedgwick
  • I came into his stormy life, not as a new perturbing force, but as one that made toward peace and repose.

    The Iron Heel | Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for perturb

perturb

/ (pəˈtɜːb) /


verb(tr; often passive)
  1. to disturb the composure of; trouble

  2. to throw into disorder

  1. physics astronomy to cause (a planet, electron, etc) to undergo a perturbation

Origin of perturb

1
C14: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbāre to confuse, from per- (intensive) + turbāre to agitate, from turba confusion

Derived forms of perturb

  • perturbable, adjective
  • perturbably, adverb
  • perturbing, adjective
  • perturbingly, adverb

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