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

Other Word Forms

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

His son Thiago is in Arsenal's academy and Sterling wants to avoid disrupting his family life again.

From BBC

If a new pandemic began today, mRNA vaccines are currently the only type of vaccine that could be developed quickly enough to disrupt its spread.

From Salon

The removal of the de minimis rule will have a "significant impact" on Lululemon's earnings as it will disrupt its US e-commerce shipments, the firm's chief financial officer Meghan Frank said in an earnings call.

From BBC

For the neutrals, London City Lionesses are an explosive addition to the WSL, a side who are threatening to disrupt the usual order.

From BBC

As AI disrupts industries including entertainment and healthcare, workers have expressed anxiety about whether they will lose their jobs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breach 
• break into 
• obstruct