disturb

verb

dis·​turb di-ˈstərb How to pronounce disturb (audio)
disturbed; disturbing; disturbs
Synonyms of disturb

transitive verb

1
a
: to interfere with : interrupt
disturbing the flow of traffic
b
: to alter the position or arrangement of
the items on her desk had been disturbed
c
: to upset the natural and especially the ecological balance or relations of
wetlands disturbed by development
2
a
: to destroy the tranquility or composure of
The noisy lawnmower disturbed their sleep.
was disturbed by his bizarre behavior
b
: to throw into disorder
disturbing our routine
c
: alarm
trying not to disturb the sleeping dogs
d
: to put to inconvenience
sorry to disturb you at such a late hour

intransitive verb

: to cause disturbance
disturber noun
disturbingly
di-ˈstər-biŋ-lē How to pronounce disturb (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of disturb

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discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action.

discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

Examples of disturb in a Sentence

I'm sorry to disturb you at such a late hour. She doesn't want to be disturbed while she's working. Don't disturb the baby when he's sleeping. The noise disturbed my concentration.
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.
Clever touches—in-room iMacs; a choice of colors from the bedside light; two do not disturb signs, one of a person sleeping, the other clearly suggesting that the couple inside are not—make your stay memorable, as do the eager-to-please staff. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026 If a passenger won’t wake up after a gentle tap, ask a flight attendant for assistance instead of repeatedly disturbing them. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2026 Her departure came just the day after prosecutors said the baby's mother discovered disturbing camera footage over a three-month period. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Then the heart-wrenching, disturbing discussion of why Nevada became famous overnight was brought up. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disturb

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disturben, destourben, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French destorber, from Latin disturbare, from dis- + turbare to throw into disorder, from turba disorder — more at turbid

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of disturb was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing disturb

Rhymes for disturb

See All Rhymes for disturb

Browse Nearby Words

distune
disturb
disturbance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturb. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

disturb

verb
dis·​turb dis-ˈtərb How to pronounce disturb (audio)
1
a
: to interfere with : interrupt
b
: to change the position, arrangement, or stability of
2
a
: to trouble the mind of : make uneasy
b
: to throw into confusion or disorder
c
: to cause bother to
disturber noun

Legal Definition

disturb

transitive verb
dis·​turb
1
: to destroy the tranquility or composure of
2
: to throw into disorder

intransitive verb

: to cause disturbance
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