disturbance
Americannoun
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the act of disturbing.
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the state of being disturbed.
- Synonyms:
- confusion, perturbation
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an instance of this; commotion.
- Antonyms:
- order
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something that disturbs.
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an outbreak of disorder; a breach of public peace.
Political disturbances shook the city.
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Meteorology. any cyclonic storm or low-pressure area, usually a small one.
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Geology. a crustal movement of moderate intensity, somewhat restricted in area.
noun
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the act of disturbing or the state of being disturbed
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an interruption or intrusion
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an unruly outburst or tumult
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law an interference with another's rights
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geology
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a minor movement of the earth causing a small earthquake
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a minor mountain-building event
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meteorol a small depression
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psychiatry a mental or emotional disorder
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disturbance
1250–1300; Middle English disto ( u ) rbance < Anglo-French, Old French. See disturb, -ance
Explanation
A disturbance is a noisy commotion that causes a hubbub or interruption. It can also be a worried mental state. In hotels, people put up "Do not disturb" signs when they want to be left alone. That's a good clue to what a disturbance is: something, usually noisy or rowdy, that bothers people. An audience member yelling during a piano concert would be a disturbance. Disturbances can also be interruptions, like a disturbance in cable service when the cable goes out. Disturbances can also be mental: if you're worried or anxious, that's a type of internal disturbance.
Vocabulary lists containing disturbance
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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Nothing But the Truth
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The hosting site has a Community Disturbance Policy that bans parties and events that are disruptive, open-invite and that invite excessive noise, visitors, trash, littering and smoking, among other issues.
From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2024
"These are the easterly winds flowing from the Arabian Sea, the Western Disturbance over the Western Himalayas and the Cyclonic Circulation over South Gujarat," Ms Mohanty told BBC Gujarati.
From BBC • Nov. 27, 2023
As a precautionary measure, police officials contracted the National Institute of Mental Health to train their department’s newly formed Civil Disturbance Unit in “mediating contemplated interracial conflict in the public streets.”
From Slate • Aug. 28, 2023
Fanone said he walked away but then returned to confront the officer, whom he said was among a group from the Civil Disturbance Unit.
From Washington Post • Dec. 6, 2022
I can't hear the voice-over, but the text headlines are unmistakable: Disturbance outside Bataiia Hail.
From "Legend" by Marie Lu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
