disturbance

[dih-stur-buhns]

noun

1. the act of disturbing. disturbing.

2. the state of being disturbed. disturbed.

   Synonyms: confusion, perturbation

3. an instance of this; commotion.

   Antonyms: order

4. something that disturbs.

5. an outbreak of disorder; a breach of public peace.

   Political disturbances shook the city.

   Synonyms: riot, tumult, confusion

6. Meteorology.,  any cyclonic storm or low-pressure area, usually a small one.

7. Geology.,  a crustal movement of moderate intensity, somewhat restricted in area.

disturbance

/ dɪˈstɜːbəns /

noun

1. the act of disturbing or the state of being disturbed

2. an interruption or intrusion

3. an unruly outburst or tumult

4. law an interference with another's rights

5. geology

   1. a minor movement of the earth causing a small earthquake

   2. a minor mountain-building event

6. meteorol a small depression

7. psychiatry a mental or emotional disorder

Other Word Forms

• nondisturbance noun
• predisturbance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disturbance¹

1250–1300; Middle English disto ( u ) rbance < Anglo-French, Old French. See disturb, -ance

Synonym Study

See agitation. See disorder.

Example Sentences

He later apologised to jurors for the "disturbance" as the case resumed and said Mr Hussein did not wish to return in court for the rest of the prosecution opening.

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"Handsworth, it's come a hell of a long way in the 40 years since the last civil disturbances there and it's actually a very integrated place," he continued.

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A spokesperson for the Davis Police Department said officers were called to the school board meeting for a report of a disturbance, but by the time the officers arrived the issue had resolved itself.

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He touted the move in August to create a “quick reaction force” to “quell civil disturbances” — a decree folded into his executive order expanding the D.C. troop deployment.

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His exhibition "creates a feeling of tension, of disturbance, of unease, but it doesn't spell anything out", the critic said.

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Related Words

• brawl 
• confusion 
• disorder 
• disruption 
• eruption 
• explosion 
• fracas 
• interruption 
• riot 
• shock 
• storm 
• tremor 
• turmoil 
• upheaval 
• uprising 
• violence