disturbance

[dih-stur-buhns]

noun

1. the act of disturbing. disturbing.

2. the state of being disturbed. disturbed.

   Synonyms: confusion, perturbation

3. an instance of this; commotion.

   Antonyms: order

4. something that disturbs.

5. an outbreak of disorder; a breach of public peace.

   Political disturbances shook the city.

   Synonyms: riot, tumult, confusion

6. Meteorology.,  any cyclonic storm or low-pressure area, usually a small one.

7. Geology.,  a crustal movement of moderate intensity, somewhat restricted in area.

disturbance

/ dɪˈstɜːbəns /

noun

1. the act of disturbing or the state of being disturbed

2. an interruption or intrusion

3. an unruly outburst or tumult

4. law an interference with another's rights

5. geology

   1. a minor movement of the earth causing a small earthquake

   2. a minor mountain-building event

6. meteorol a small depression

7. psychiatry a mental or emotional disorder

Other Word Forms

• nondisturbance noun
• predisturbance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disturbance¹

1250–1300; Middle English disto ( u ) rbance < Anglo-French, Old French. See disturb, -ance

Synonym Study

See agitation. See disorder.

Example Sentences

Castillo was impeached and arrested on charges of rebellion, abuse of authority and serious disturbance of the public order within a matter of hours.

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"Because the new species was found in the same small area as the endangered wildflower, both could be at risk from habitat disturbance and other threatening processes like climate change," Dr. Prendergast said.

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According to him, ZAK functions at one of the earliest stages of the stress response, so learning how it recognizes ribosome collisions offers valuable insight into how cells detect disturbances with remarkable speed.

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"It's an anti-vibration table," Stöllner says, pointing out how it protects the lasers from small disturbances in the room or from nearby equipment, which is essential for extremely precise measurements.

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As a result, each condition can contribute to metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular problems.

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Related Words

• brawl 
• confusion 
• disorder 
• disruption 
• eruption 
• explosion 
• fracas 
• interruption 
• riot 
• shock 
• storm 
• tremor 
• turmoil 
• upheaval 
• uprising 
• violence