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

Derived Forms

• disˈturber, noun

Other Words From

• dis·turber noun
• predis·turb 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

Related Words

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