disturb

Formsdisturbs, disturbing, disturbed

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To break up a quiet, steady state or a calm, flowing one, such as thoughts, movements, or liquids.

   Please don't disturb the sediment resting at the bottom of the jar.

   A sudden gust disturbed the glassy surface of the pond.

   Similarupset, bother, trouble, agitate, unsettle

   Oppositecalm, settle, soothe

   Note

   Underneath every use of the word is motion. Latin disturbare intensifies turbare, "to throw into disorder", and goes back to a root meaning "to swirl, twirl, move around". That swirl is easiest to see in liquids, where roil and agitate are close neighbors. With people and performances the idea is interruption, and perturb or unsettle fit better. In this sense the verb always takes an object: something or someone is disturbed.

2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To have a negative emotional effect; to cause distress or confusion in a person.

   The graphic scenes in the documentary genuinely disturb.

   Something in his calm tone disturbed more deeply than anger would have.

   Similarunsettle, upset, shock, trouble

   Oppositereassure, comfort

   Note

   Used without an object, the verb puts all the weight on the effect: the scenes disturb, the tone disturbs. No one has to be named as the person troubled, because the listener supplies them. It works best as a strong, spare statement about emotional unease, ending the clause rather than pointing at a victim.

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To divert, redirect, or change the course of something by interfering with it.

   Mining operations can disturb the underground channels that feed the wells.

   Construction along the bank disturbed the river's natural flow.

   Similardisrupt, alter, divert, redirect

   Note

   Here the interference changes a direction rather than merely breaking a calm. Milton's Paradise Lost (1667) shows the construction plainly: to "disturb his inmost counsels from their destined aim", with from marking the course that is abandoned. Unlike the calm-breaking sense, the result is a new path, not just a ripple. A river is turned aside, or a mind is knocked off its track.

Showing meanings only. Show all 4