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

Example Sentences

“We will not allow any attempt to disturb public order.”

From BBC

To be safe, never turn your back on the ocean, and don’t disturb shore birds taking cover above the tide line while taking your photos.

From Los Angeles Times

Green told us: “We wanted to see strict limits on immigration confined to people we really needed, and at a scale that was not going to disturb the nature of our very historic and peaceful country.”

From BBC

It’s good to see that our pal Dot still has the power to disturb the complacent, all these many years later!” one X user said.

From Los Angeles Times

This injection of metals and other compounds into the upper atmosphere has the potential to disturb the delicate balance of elements and molecules in the air, the letter argues.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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