disrupt

American  

[dis-ruhpt] / dɪsˈrʌpt /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause disorder or turmoil in.

   The news disrupted their conference.

2. to destroy, usually temporarily, the normal continuance or unity of; interrupt.

   Telephone service was disrupted for hours.

3. to break apart.

   to disrupt a connection.

4. 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.

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adjective

1. broken apart; disrupted.

disrupt British  

/ dɪsˈrʌpt /

verb

1. (tr) to throw into turmoil or disorder

2. (tr) to interrupt the progress of (a movement, meeting, etc)

3. to break or split (something) apart

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Other Word Forms

• disrupter noun
• disruption noun
• disruptor noun
• nondisrupting adjective
• nondisruptingly adverb
• undisrupted adjective

Etymology

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”

Example Sentences

Hundreds of schools remained closed on Wednesday due to snow and ice, with train services also significantly disrupted.

From BBC

Critical infrastructure was "operating on reserve power", it said in a statement on Telegram, while officials said water supplies and the internet were also disrupted.

From BBC

Miami is so set on pummeling the quarterback, in fact, that it eve disrupts their practice routines.

From The Wall Street Journal

This has all changed, however, with all of these trends thrown into reverse: deglobalization; disrupted supply chains; deteriorating demographic trends; and, of course, the potential threat of rising energy prices.

From MarketWatch

The Eurostar rail service connecting London with continental European cities was also disrupted again on Wednesday, with passengers facing cancellations and delays.

From Barron's

Related Words

• breach
• break into
• obstruct