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

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

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

The Fed meets at the end of October at exactly the time when its decision-driving inputs are probably most disrupted.

Read more on MarketWatch

Now, in another antitrust case against Google, the tech giant is arguing AI is disrupting its ad business.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The moves disrupted a hot run for markets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Travellers were delayed at a number of European airports in September after a ransomware attack disrupted check-in and boarding software.

Read more on BBC

A devastating fire will disrupt operations at a key supplier of the U.S. auto industry for months, The Wall Street Journal reported late Monday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• breach 
• break into 
• obstruct