disturb

Saydi-STURB/dɪˈstɝb/UK/dɪˈstɜːb/

Formsdisturbs, disturbing, disturbed

4 meanings of disturb

1
verbtransitive
To break the calm of something steady, like still water or quiet thoughts.
Like dropping a stone into still water and breaking the smooth surface.
Try not to disturb the calm water in the bowl.
The wind disturbed the smooth surface of the lake.
Similarupset, bother, trouble, agitate, unsettle
Oppositecalm, settle, soothe
Note
2
verbintransitive
To upset someone, or make them feel worried or scared.
Like a bad dream that stays in your mind after you wake up.
Scary movies can disturb long after the lights come back on.
Her quiet warning disturbed far more than any shout could.
Similarunsettle, upset, shock, trouble
Oppositereassure, comfort
Note
3
verbtransitive
To change the path or course of something by getting in its way.
Like putting a rock in a stream to send the water a new way.
Heavy digging can disturb the flow of water under the field.
The fallen tree disturbed the stream's path through the valley.
Similardisrupt, alter, divert, redirect
Note

Less common meaning

4
nounobsolete
A break in calm or order, such as trouble or noise.
Like a loud fight that breaks a quiet evening.
The loud disturb in the street woke the whole town.
Instant without disturb they took alarm
1667, John Milton, Paradise LostHere, disturb means a disturbance, so they moved without any noise or upset.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin disturbare, a stronger form of turbare meaning "to throw into disorder," which came into English through Old French and Middle English.