Dictionary.com

perturb

[ per-turb ]
/ pərˈtɜrb /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: perturb / perturbed / perturbing / perturbable 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).
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of perturb

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English perturben (from Old French perturber ), from Latin perturbāre “to throw into confusion,” equivalent to per- per- + turbāre “to disturb”; see turbid

OTHER WORDS FROM perturb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to perturb

agitate, alarm, annoy, bewilder, confound, confuse, disconcert, dismay, disturb, fluster, irritate, muddle, perplex, vex, bother, bug, disarrange, discompose, discountenance, disorder

How to use perturb in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perturb

perturb
/ (pəˈtɜːb) /
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 forms of perturb

perturbable, 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
FEEDBACK