disrupt

American  

[dis-ruhpt] / dɪsˈrʌpt /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause disorder or turmoil in.

   The news disrupted their conference.

2. to destroy, usually temporarily, the normal continuance or unity of; interrupt.

   Telephone service was disrupted for hours.

3. to break apart.

   to disrupt a connection.

4. Business. to radically change (an industry, business strategy, etc.), as by introducing a new product or service that creates a new market.

   It’s time to disrupt your old business model.

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adjective

1. broken apart; disrupted.

disrupt British  

/ dɪsˈrʌpt /

verb

1. (tr) to throw into turmoil or disorder

2. (tr) to interrupt the progress of (a movement, meeting, etc)

3. to break or split (something) apart

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Other Word Forms

• disrupter noun
• disruption noun
• disruptor noun
• nondisrupting adjective
• nondisruptingly adverb
• undisrupted adjective

Etymology

Origin of disrupt

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin disruptus, variant of dīruptus “broken apart,” past participle of dīrumpere “to break apart,” from dī- di- ² + rumpere “to break”

Example Sentences

The research team wanted to determine whether signals from these cells could disrupt otherwise healthy lungs.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

Tech companies are contending with the rise of artificial intelligence, which could disrupt the way people shop.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Meanwhile, shipping through Hormuz remains severely restricted, with persistent attacks continuing to disrupt the region.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

For most parents, a realistic goal “is usually not to fully fund college, but to create enough flexibility so school decisions” don’t disrupt the family’s finances, Bogardus said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

It would diminish Hunt’s building and in so doing diminish Hunt and disrupt the harmony of the other structures on the Grand Court.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• breach
• break into
• obstruct