: disrupting or tending to disrupt some process, activity, condition, etc. : causing or tending to cause disruption
a disruptive weather pattern
It is hoped that, if the child learns that disruptive behavior brings no rewards, his tantrums will diminish and perhaps stop.—Susan Sheehan
In recent years, airlines began to carry plastic handcuffs as a way to restrain disruptive passengers.—Erik Holm
Other teammates marvel at how easily he morphs from a mild-mannered family man in the locker room into a disruptive force on the field.—Jefri Chadiha
disruptively adverb
acting disruptively
disruptiveness noun
… the disruptiveness of climatic change will depend strongly on the rate of change. —Roger Revelle

Examples of disruptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Such a difficult start was understandable after a hugely disruptive offseason, which saw a raft of star players leave the club, including Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Emi Martinez and Youri Tielemans. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 What readers are saying The comments overwhelmingly express a preference for permanent standard time over daylight saving time, with many arguing that the biannual time changes are unnecessary and disruptive. — Lauren Mazzo, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026 In January 2025, the Postal Regulatory Commission, which oversees the Postal Service, warned that moving forward with the plan would be disruptive to rural communities and might not save as much money as expected. — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026 Your divorce is difficult and disruptive for them as well and can cause workforce turnover that impacts the business. — Catherine Shanahan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disruptive

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disruptive was in 1827

Cite this Entry

“Disruptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruptive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Medical Definition

disruptive

adjective
: characterized by psychologically disorganized behavior
a confused, incoherent, and disruptive patient in the manic phase
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