disturb

[dih-sturb]

verb (used with object)

1. to interrupt the quiet, rest, peace, or order of; unsettle.

   Synonyms: pester, trouble, annoy, bother

2. to interfere with; interrupt; hinder.

   Please do not disturb me when I'm working.

3. to interfere with the arrangement, order, or harmony of; disarrange.

   to disturb the papers on her desk.

4. to perplex; trouble.

   to be disturbed by strange behavior.

verb (used without object)

1. to cause disturbance to someone's sleep, rest, etc..

   Do not disturb.

disturb

/ dɪˈstɜːb /

verb

1. to intrude on; interrupt

2. to destroy or interrupt the quietness or peace of

3. to disarrange; muddle

4. (often passive) to upset or agitate; trouble

   I am disturbed at your bad news

5. to inconvenience; put out

   don't disturb yourself on my account

Other Word Forms

• disturber noun
• predisturb verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of disturb¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English distorben, distourben, disturben, from Anglo-French desturber, disto(u)rber, from Latin disturbāre “to demolish, upset,” from dis- dis- ¹ + turbāre “to agitate, confuse” ( turbid )

Word History and Origins

Origin of disturb¹

C13: from Latin disturbāre, from _dis- ¹ + turbāre to confuse

Example Sentences

Ms Klass described the material, which included notes referencing circumcision and saying the ring sent in the post was for the "holy protection" of a "worthy high priestess", as "utterly visually disturbing".

From BBC

Liverpool's players were subjected to fireworks let off outside their Istanbul hotel designed to disturb their sleep - but it is a second successive loss that must act as the real wake-up call.

From BBC

“That, quite frankly, is very disturbing and concerning to us,” Day said.

From Los Angeles Times

Sigrid remembers her parents being called to school to collect her because her crying during a group performance was disturbing other children.

From BBC

But the flip side of the paper is dark and disturbing.

From BBC

Related Words

• agitate 
• alarm 
• amaze 
• annoy 
• arouse 
• astound 
• complicate 
• confuse 
• depress 
• dishearten 
• disrupt 
• distract 
• excite 
• frighten 
• gall 
• interrupt 
• irk 
• irritate 
• outrage 
• perplex