disruptive

American  

[dis-ruhp-tiv] / dɪsˈrʌp tɪv /

adjective

1. causing, tending to cause, or caused by disruption; disrupting.

   the disruptive effect of their rioting.

2. Business.

   1. relating to or noting a new product, service, or idea that radically changes an industry or business strategy, especially by creating a new market and disrupting an existing one.

      disruptive innovations such as the cell phone and the two-year community college.

   2. relating to or noting a business executive or company that introduces or is receptive to such innovation.

      disruptive CEOs with imagination and vision.

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disruptive British  

/ dɪsˈrʌptɪv /

adjective

1. involving, causing, or tending to cause disruption

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Other Word Forms

• disruptively adverb
• disruptiveness noun
• nondisruptive adjective

Etymology

Origin of disruptive

First recorded in 1835–45; disrupt + -ive

Example Sentences

Production has come back from past dips, whether caused by recessions, strikes or disruptive new technologies.

From The Wall Street Journal

But while the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is disruptive to global supplies, others argue the world today is more resilient.

From BBC

The combination of "three different disruptive technologies: genome sequencing, artificial intelligence, and RNA therapeutics... offers new possibilities and challenges", Smith said.

From Barron's

That disruptive power was on display in the recent bidding for wireless spectrum.

From Barron's

This is a far more expensive and disruptive shift than the company’s failed pivot to the metaverse.

From Barron's

Related Words

• disturbing
• rowdy
• troublesome
• unruly
• upsetting