disturbance

[ dih-stur-buhns ]
See synonyms for disturbance on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the act of disturbing.

  2. the state of being disturbed.

  1. an instance of this; commotion.

  2. something that disturbs.

  3. an outbreak of disorder; a breach of public peace: Political disturbances shook the city.

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

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

Origin of disturbance

1
1250–1300; Middle English disto(u)rbance<Anglo-French, Old French. See disturb, -ance

synonym study For disturbance

2. See agitation. 5. See disorder.

Other words for disturbance

Opposites for disturbance

Other words from disturbance

  • non·dis·turb·ance, noun
  • pre·dis·turb·ance, noun

Words Nearby disturbance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use disturbance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for disturbance

disturbance

/ (dɪˈstɜːbəns) /


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

  2. an interruption or intrusion

  1. an unruly outburst or tumult

  2. law an interference with another's rights

  3. geology

    • a minor movement of the earth causing a small earthquake

    • a minor mountain-building event

  4. meteorol a small depression

  5. psychiatry a mental or emotional disorder

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012