perturb

[ per-turb ]

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.

   Synonyms: worry, trouble

   Antonyms: pacify

2. to throw into great disorder:

   Huge construction projects can take years to finish, and meanwhile, can greatly perturb the neighborhood.

   Synonyms: muddle, disarrange, confuse

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

perturb

/ pəˈtɜːb /

verb

1. to disturb the composure of; trouble
2. to throw into disorder
3. physics astronomy to cause (a planet, electron, etc) to undergo a perturbation

Derived Forms

• perˈturbingly, adverb
• perˈturbable, adjective
• perˈturbing, adjective
• perˈturbably, adverb

Other Words From

• per·turb·a·ble adjective
• per·turb·a·bil·i·ty [per-tur-b, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• per·tur·ba·tious [pur-ter-, bey, -sh, uh, s], adjective
• per·tur·ba·tor [pur, -ter-bey-ter], 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of perturb¹

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” ( turbid )

Word History and Origins

Origin of perturb¹

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

Example Sentences

The gravity of these migrating planets may also have perturbed the paths of the other planets or even pushed them into unstable orbits.

From Singularity Hub 

The only real wild card at this point is what may happen if the nascent storm system’s central vortex becomes perturbed by the terrain of Cuba during its formative stages.

From Washington Post

What Massimini looks for in this perturbed EEG is a special kind of complexity that is organized, but not too organized.

From MIT Technology Review

The power of quantum computers comes from their ability to manipulate exotic quantum states, but these states are very fragile and easily perturbed by sources of noise, like heat or electromagnetic fields.

From Singularity Hub 

Okja perturbs and provokes, inspecting the dark realities of the meat industry and the depths of corporate greed as it centers the perspective of bright-eyed, pure-hearted Mija.

From Time

I was nettled now at all these things which were coming to puzzle and perturb an honest fellow out for a morning ride.

From Project Gutenberg

A more pronounced cause than vague surmise was destined to perturb him, and this in an unexpected manner.

From Project Gutenberg

What was to happen would happen; to perturb and perplex oneself was useless and might be dangerous.

From Project Gutenberg

Captain Thornes sarcasm seemed to perturb the youngster, but his good breeding got the better of his annoyance.

From Project Gutenberg

The existence of such facts does not perturb in the least those theorists who “rule the roost” in the scientific world.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agitate
• alarm
• annoy
• bewilder
• confound
• confuse
• disconcert
• dismay
• disturb
• fluster
• irritate
• muddle
• perplex
• vex