disruptor

American  

[dis-ruhpt-er] / dɪsˈrʌpt ər /

noun

1. a product, company, or person that disrupts an industry or market, upsetting the established order; an agent of change or confusion.

2. a substance that disrupts a physiological process or agent.

3. a person who disrupts a process, group, or event, such as by making noise or physically interfering.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

disruptor

Famed as a digital disruptor, Fedorov was tasked with modernising the army, fatigued after more than four years of fighting back against Russia's full-scale invasion.

From Barron's ● Jul. 16, 2026

For a time, Djokovic was cast as the villain - the disruptor to the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal rivalry that so engrossed fans.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

On the one hand, it’s true that Spirit was more of a disruptor than JetBlue, and you don’t want a disruptor to go away.

From Slate ● May 5, 2026

Oil prices spiked anew on Thursday after Iran ramped up its strikes on infrastructure in the Gulf, with the International Energy Agency saying the conflict has been a historical disruptor of supply.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 12, 2026

One disruptor without even a single spare powerpack wasn't much to build hopes on.

From Hostage A Terran Empire story by Wilson, Ann