disrupt

[ dis-ruhpt ]

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.

adjective

1. broken apart; disrupted.

disrupt

/ 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

Derived Forms

• disˈruption, noun
• disˈrupter, noun

Other Words From

• dis·rupter dis·ruptor noun
• nondis·rupting adjective
• nondis·rupting·ly adverb
• undis·rupted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disrupt¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of disrupt¹

C17: from Latin disruptus burst asunder, from dīrumpere to dash to pieces, from dis- ¹+ rumpere to burst

Example Sentences

Still others have marketed black-and-white striped wetsuits based on a theory similar to that behind the LED lights: disrupting the prey-like silhouette.

From Los Angeles Times

The company’s actions seemed intended to disrupt the union drive, he said, noting that some engineers living near the West Hollywood office, for example, were told they had to move to Chicago.

From Los Angeles Times

A drive to expel every undocumented immigrant would deprive California of more than 7% of its workforce, potentially cripple agriculture and construction, divide families and disrupt communities.

From Los Angeles Times

And Scotland's part is for all of their good work, particularly at the ruck where they disrupted ball time and again, they left points out on the Murrayfield pitch.

From BBC

“These threats and efforts to disrupt the legal, transparent, and secure process of counting all eligible ballots have no place in our electoral process.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breach
• break into
• obstruct