DictionaryAI

disrupt

dis-RUPT/dɪsˈɹʌpt/

Formsdisrupts, disrupting, disrupted

4 meanings of disrupt

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To stop or slow down something that is happening normally.

    Like a fallen tree across a road, so the cars cannot get through.

    The storm disrupted our travel plans for two days.

    Loud music in the hallway can disrupt a quiet class.

    Similarinterrupt, disturb, upset, obstruct, hamper

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To put people or things into a confused, messy state.

    Like shaking a box of neatly sorted toys until everything is mixed up.

    The power outage disrupted the busy newsroom completely.

    A loud prank can disrupt an entire classroom in seconds.

    Similardislocate

    Oppositestabilize, settle

    Note
  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To bring out something new that replaces older products and surprises the market.

    Like a small new shop that gets so popular it forces the big old store to close.

    Cheap streaming services disrupted the old movie rental business.

    New apps can disrupt whole industries in just a few years.

    Similarupend, revolutionize, transform, reinvent, overturn

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    adjectiveobsolete
    Torn off or broken apart from something.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin disrumpo, meaning "to break or burst apart," built from dis- ("apart") and rumpo ("to break").