DISTURBANCE Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

disturbance

noun

di-ˈstər-bən(t)s

Definition of disturbance

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity went to investigate the disturbance outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disruption

an act or instance of the order of things being disturbed caused a disturbance in the carefully ordered proceedings

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in harassment

the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another the assistant apologized for the disturbance and got straight to the point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 disturbance Police characterized the incident Sunday evening near the city’s West End neighborhood as a family disturbance. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026 In the last few years, the planetary ingredients needed for a massive disturbance have been building. — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 Baltimore police responded to a disturbance involving a large group of students at The Rotunda in the Hampden neighborhood Monday afternoon, authorities said. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 The National Hurricane Center is also tracking two disturbances in the Atlantic with one — Dolly — likely to develop into a tropical depression or storm in the next two to seven days. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disturbance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbance

Noun

The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
There was no illness or injury, Krauss said, but the dog seemed ready to step away from the crowds and commotion.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of commotion

Noun

Officials in Pattaya, where international tourist arrivals have dropped because of travel disruptions and soaring fuel prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, say the visit is expected to inject about $3 million into the local economy.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Citing data from consultancy Energy Aspects, Reuters notes that due to war damage or export disruptions, approximately one-fifth of Middle Eastern refining capacity is currently offline.

— , CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of disruption

Noun

The suspect, 35-year-old Jorden Perozo, is charged with battery and harassment based on religious or ethnic heritage.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
He has been charged with second-degree murder, harassment, domestic assault, and tampering with physical evidence, according to court documents.

— Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of harassment

Noun

Among them was a Washington think tank that caused a stir with a paper that proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 to shore up the retirement trust fund.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Just over 100 years later, Genesis executives posted up at the same historic place aiming to once again cause a stir.

— Marco Della Cava, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of stir

Noun

Syria’s leaders are now positioning the country to benefit from a resurgence of regional turmoil.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Geopolitical turmoil, including war in the Middle East and US import tariffs, has brought urgency to an issue Icelanders have debated on and off for decades.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of turmoil

Noun

In hurry-and-scurry mode, Katalyst built a robotic spacecraft called LINK, which launched on July 3 to meet up with Swift and haul it to a higher orbit.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
No matter your hurry, overloading your washing machine will produce a headache of a different sort (and might even cost you more money).

— Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurry

Noun

In a market dominated by retro basketball shoes and 2000s tech runners, this chunky and vibrant retro skate shoe cut through the noise.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
When groceries, boat payments, and payroll all flow through one account, the underwriter cannot tell revenue from noise, and the expense factor math turns ugly.

— Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of noise

Browse Nearby Words

disturb

disturbance

disturbances

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Style

“Disturbance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbance. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of disturbance

noun

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