disruptive

[dis-ruhp-tiv]

adjective

1. causing, tending to cause, or caused by disruption; disrupting.

   the disruptive effect of their rioting.

2. Business.

   1. relating to or noting a new product, service, or idea that radically changes an industry or business strategy, especially by creating a new market and disrupting an existing one.

      disruptive innovations such as the cell phone and the two-year community college.

   2. relating to or noting a business executive or company that introduces or is receptive to such innovation.

      disruptive CEOs with imagination and vision.

disruptive

/ dɪsˈrʌptɪv /

adjective

1. involving, causing, or tending to cause disruption

Other Word Forms

• disruptively adverb
• disruptiveness noun
• nondisruptive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disruptive¹

First recorded in 1835–45; disrupt + -ive

Example Sentences

A variety of factors could power stocks higher, offsetting risks such as a potentially disruptive Supreme Court ruling on tariffs.

Read more on Barron's

But publishers say the media sector is in crisis -- with the rise of AI proving particularly disruptive -- and there is no money.

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Or will AI prove to be a disruptive force that weakens Salesforce’s business model?

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As in the late 1990s, there’s a disruptive technology at play again — artificial intelligence, which is fueling a Silicon Valley investment boom reminiscent of the build-up to the last tech bust.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

HPF also helps reduce the impact of M-dwarf stellar activity by observing in the infrared -- a region of the spectrum where disruptive signals from the star are weaker.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• disturbing 
• rowdy 
• troublesome 
• unruly 
• upsetting