disturbed

American  

[dih-sturbd] / dɪˈstɜrbd /

adjective

1. marked by symptoms of mental illness.

   a disturbed personality.

2. agitated or distressed; disrupted.

   disturbed seas; a disturbed situation.

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noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the disturbed persons who exhibit symptoms of neurosis or psychosis.

disturbed British  

/ dɪˈstɜːbd /

adjective

1. psychiatry emotionally upset, troubled, or maladjusted

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Other Word Forms

• undisturbed adjective

Etymology

Origin of disturbed

First recorded in 1585–95; disturb + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Metal blades bit into damp dirt, easily moved as if previously disturbed.

From Literature

More disturbed than I’d ever been, I went back to the store to have another talk with Grandpa.

From Literature

"They are not disturbed when Christmas decorations are put up," he said.

From Barron's

"It is sad to lose 37 miners who were struggling to make ends meet. We're disturbed by the incident."

From BBC

Jonah didn’t get any more strange letters, and no one disturbed the letter he already had.

From Literature

Related Words

• agitated
• troubled