disrupt

[dis-ruhpt]

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.

adjective

1. broken apart; disrupted.

disrupt

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of disrupt¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of disrupt¹

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

Example Sentences

United Airlines says passengers may be eligible for refunds External link if flights are delayed, canceled, or disrupted.

Read more on Barron's

But NHS chiefs accept that the ongoing industrial action has disrupted the care for thousands of patients.

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A new preclinical study from investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine reports that hypertension disrupts blood vessels, neurons and white matter in the brain long before blood pressure rises to detectable levels.

Read more on Science Daily

And, despite worries that AI would disrupt Google, the company has shown a remarkable ability to adapt and grow, with four consecutive earnings beats under its belt and the recent launch of Gemini 3.

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Last week, it emerged that the Russian spy ship Yantar was spotted off the coast of Scotland and it used lasers to disrupt RAF pilots tracking its movements.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• breach 
• break into 
• obstruct