disrupted

verb

past tense of disrupt
1
as in fractured
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly an earthquake that had disrupted the elevated highway in several places

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disturbed
to undo the proper order or arrangement of the arrival of a baby in the household would totally disrupt their established routine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disrupted Efforts to bring the outbreak under control — from limited public gatherings to social distancing and airport closures — have disrupted life in the six affected provinces, particularly Ituri, which has been ravaged by rebel violence. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 The choices of what to put in each episode — and when to cut from one timeline to another — have sometimes felt arbitrary, and have often disrupted the story’s overall flow. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 Friday marks six months since the start of the conflict, which has disrupted the global flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway in the Middle East, causing fuel prices to reach their highest levels in four years. — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026 But these waterways are still vulnerable to attacks from Yemen’s Houthi military group, which is aligned with Iran and has periodically disrupted the waterway over the last three years. — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026 Transport routes along the Danube are also disrupted, which will slow commerce and trade. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026 On January 23rd, many of them temporarily disrupted the airport to protest deportation flights; about a hundred were arrested. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 Even if a large storm has disrupted power lines or internet access, a high-quality walkie-talkie should transmit your communications, as long as there are no severe obstructions or blockage. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 Almost every country had reduced access to vaccines during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when supply chains and clinic access were severely disrupted. — Kathryn H. Jacobsen, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrupted
  1. fractured
  2. disturbed
  3. broke
  4. confused
  5. destroyed
  6. shuffled
  7. reduced
  8. upset
Verb
  • Following a 1990 accident that fractured his spine, Billesdon lives with a paralyzed colon and bladder that requires workplace accommodations and causes severe side effects from medication.
    — Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has fractured his shoulder and is set to be out for up to two weeks.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fractured
Verb
  • As a parent who has purchased my share of scary Halloween costumes, I was particularly disturbed by the controversy now engulfing Target.
    — Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026
  • If disturbed, asbestos’ microscopic crystalline fibers get into the air, where they can be inhaled, cause lung scarring and lead to fatal cancers.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbed
Verb
  • The Seattle Seahawks are the defending champions but have lost two key members of their secondary in free agency and their second-round pick, safety Bud Clark, who was supposed to be a replacement for Coby Bryant, broke an ankle in the preseason.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Parton's impact broke barriers Responses to Parton's death have transcended geographical, racial and gender-based lines.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of broke
Verb
  • Cirque Dreams, which also offers several other touring shows, used to be regularly confused with Cirque du Soleil strictly because of the similarity of their names.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier, on direct examination, Heilbrun said it may be confused with psychosis.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of confused
Verb
  • The fire started in the 2300 block of Pickett Road and destroyed five structures, according to Cal Fire.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Almost 50 homes and other structures have been destroyed so far; there have been several injuries, and one of Tibbetts’s neighbors lost 20 German shepherds.
    — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroyed
Verb
  • Finally, the next season, Karlsson was shuffled frequently between Abbotsford and Vancouver and resided at the fringes of the NHL lineup.
    — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Venegas scrolled through his phone while Penna shuffled past us to grab a drink from the office fridge.
    — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of shuffled
Verb
  • Obviously, that’s a fair assumption if his ice time is meaningfully reduced, and the same goes for Draisaitl.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The development comes as the global shipping industry contends with attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, higher energy prices, and sharply reduced traffic through some of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of reduced
Verb
  • Aer Lingus magic The Aer Lingus Classic has been defined by rainy weather and upsets the past few years.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Almost everywhere else in the city, women would need one — except at this venue, which tries to not upset the precarious balance of the religion-nightlife cohabitation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of upset

Browse Nearby Words

disrupt
disrupted
disrupter
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Cite this Entry

“Disrupted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrupted. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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