Disrupt — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /dis-ˈrəpt/ dis·rupt

Meaning & Definition of Disrupt

Disrupt (verb)

  1. to break apart, rupture
  2. to throw into disorder
  3. to interrupt the normal course or unity of

Disrupt (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly

    "an earthquake that had disrupted the elevated highway in several places"

    similar: break, break up, bust, disintegrate, dismember, fracture, fragment, rive
    related: atomize, crush, grind, powder, pulverize, reduce, blast, blow up, burst, detonate, explode, crack, pop, shatter, shiver, smash, chip, sliver, splinter, split, implode, destroy, ruin, wreck
    near: doctor, fix, heal, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renovate, repair

  2. to undo the proper order or arrangement of

    "the arrival of a baby in the household would totally disrupt their established routine"

    similar: confuse, derange, disarrange, disarray, discompose, dishevel, disjoint, dislocate, disorder, disorganize, disturb, hash, jumble, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, muss, rumple, scramble, shuffle, tousle, tumble, upset
    related: embroil, entangle, snarl, tangle, agitate, perturb, stir (up), unsettle, clutter
    opposite: arrange, array, dispose, draw up, marshal, order, organize, range, regulate, straighten (up), tidy
    near: align, line, line up, queue, classify, codify, methodize, systematize, systemize, adjust, fix, groom, make up, spruce (up), unscramble

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Disrupt

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disrupt:

break, break up, bust, disintegrate, dismember, fracture, fragment, rive, confuse, derange, disarrange, disarray, discompose, dishevel, disjoint, dislocate, disorder, disorganize, disturb, hash, jumble, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, muss, rumple, scramble, shuffle, tousle, tumble, upset

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Disrupt

Words with the opposite meaning of Disrupt:

arrange, array, dispose, draw up, marshal, order, organize, range, regulate, straighten (up), tidy

Related Words for Disrupt

atomize, crush, grind, powder, pulverize, reduce, blast, blow up, burst, detonate, explode, crack, pop, shatter, shiver, smash, chip, sliver, splinter, split, implode, destroy, ruin, wreck, embroil, entangle, snarl, tangle, agitate, perturb

Near Antonyms of Disrupt

doctor, fix, heal, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renovate, repair, align, line, line up, queue, classify, codify, methodize, systematize, systemize, adjust, groom, make up, spruce (up), unscramble

Word Forms of Disrupt

Inflections: disrupted, disrupting, disrupts

Derived words: disrupter (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Disrupt

Latin disruptus, past participle of disrumpere, from dis- + rumpere to break reave

First known use: 1663

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Disrupt

Frequently Asked Questions about Disrupt

What does "Disrupt" mean?

"Disrupt" means to break apart, rupture. As a verb, it is defined as: to break apart, rupture. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Disrupt"?

Other words for "Disrupt" include break, break up, bust, disintegrate, dismember, fracture, fragment and rive. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Disrupt" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Disrupt"?

There are 64 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Disrupt". Common alternatives include break, break up, bust, disintegrate, dismember, fracture, fragment, rive, confuse and derange.

What is the opposite of "Disrupt"?

Antonyms of "Disrupt" include arrange, array, dispose, draw up, marshal, order, organize and range. Near antonyms include doctor, fix, heal and mend.

How do you use "Disrupt" in a sentence?

Examples of "Disrupt" in a sentence: "an earthquake that had disrupted the elevated highway in several places"; "the arrival of a baby in the household would totally disrupt their established routine".

Is "Disrupt" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Disrupt" is a verb.

Is "Disrupt" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Disrupt" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Disrupt"?

"Disrupt" is pronounced /dis-ˈrəpt/ and divided into syllables as dis·rupt.