perturb

[per-turb]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR perturb ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to disturb or disquiet greatly in mind; agitate.

to throw into great disorder; derange.

Astronomy. to cause perturbation in the orbit of (a celestial body).

Origin of perturb

1325–75; Middle English perturben (< Old French perturber) < Latin perturbāre to throw into confusion, equivalent to per- per- + turbāre to disturb; see turbid

Related formsper·turb·a·ble, adjectiveper·turb·a·bil·i·ty, nounper·tur·ba·tious

[pur-ter-bey-shuhs] /ˌpɜr tərˈbeɪ ʃəs/, adjectiveper·turb·ed·ly

[per-tur-bid-lee] /pərˈtɜr bɪd li/, adverbper·turb·ed·ness, nounper·turb·er, per·tur·ba·tor

[pur-ter-bey-ter] /ˈpɜr tərˌbeɪ tər/, nounper·turb·ing·ly, adverbper·turb·ment, nounnon·per·turb·a·ble, adjectivenon·per·turb·ing, adjectiveun·per·turb·a·ble, adjectiveun·per·turbed, adjectiveun·per·turb·ing, adjective

Synonyms for perturb

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR perturb ON THESAURUS.COM

1. trouble. 2. confuse, addle, muddle.

Antonyms for perturb

1. pacify.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for perturbed

bothered, annoyed, irritated, upset, flustered, vexed, anxious, restless, uneasy

Examples from the Web for perturbed

Contemporary Examples of perturbed

The number of high-profile participants, and how they are choosing to participate, has perturbed one corner of the Internet.
#IceBucketChallenge Wisdom From 'Jackass' Steve-O
Kevin Zawacki
August 21, 2014
Rush Limbaugh, one of the most powerful voices on the right, is also perturbed.
Why the Fiscal Cliff Is Causing a Nervous Breakdown on the Right
Howard Kurtz
December 11, 2012
At the end of the first hour, I was perturbed, disturbed, entertained, and intrigued.
The Craziest Show on TV
Jace Lacob, Maria Elena Fernandez
November 7, 2011
Are you perturbed that black conservatives such as Cain and Clarence Thomas receive so much publicity?
Belafonte’s Activist Life
Richard Porton
October 16, 2011
Guinness is also perturbed by a music business that is less and less about changing the world.
Daphne Guinness’s ‘Tremendous Style’
Jacob Bernstein
September 19, 2011

Historical Examples of perturbed

By degrees the placid influence of her friend calmed her perturbed spirit.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
Chip whispered the question in the ear of the perturbed Little Doctor.
Chip, of the Flying U
B. M. Bower
Julia wilted a little; but her sister, Mrs. Glynn, was not perturbed.
The Yates Pride
Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
Plainly, Evadna was secretly laughing at her perturbed interest in the matter.
Good Indian
B. M. Bower
Nor had she fully relieved her mind, nor voiced all that perturbed her.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance

British Dictionary definitions for perturbed

perturb

verb (tr; often passive)

to disturb the composure of; trouble

to throw into disorder

physics astronomy to cause (a planet, electron, etc) to undergo a perturbation

Derived Formsperturbable, adjectiveperturbably, adverbperturbing, adjectiveperturbingly, adverb

Word Origin for perturb

C14: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbāre to confuse, from per- (intensive) + turbāre to agitate, from turba confusion

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

Word Origin and History for perturbed

adj.

1510s, past participle adjective from perturb (v.).

perturb

late 14c., from Old French perturber "disturb, confuse" (14c.) and directly from Latin perturbare "to confuse, disorder, disturb," especially of states of the mind, from per- "through" (see per) + turbare "disturb, confuse," from turba "turmoil, crowd" (see turbid). Related: Perturbed; perturbing.