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.

---

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

---

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

But an influx of foreign visitors—a record 42.7 million last year—is disrupting the garbage equilibrium.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I didn't know what would happen if I disrupted the brotherhood you have in the locker room," he says.

From BBC

Mobile phone services have been jammed and traffic disrupted in the affected districts, while train services have been suspended across the province.

From Barron's

Harry Styles' last world tour, Love On Tour, was set to kick off in April 2020 but was disrupted by the pandemic.

From BBC

I could’ve made adjustments in the first half to disrupt their rhythm.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breach
• break into
• obstruct