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

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

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

Labor leaders and business groups, looking to gain the upper hand, have submitted proposals that, if approved by voters, would disrupt the city in enormous ways.

From Los Angeles Times

Severely disrupted London Underground services spurred Londoners to turn to bikes, buses and black cabs to make their way through the capital during the first working day of a Tube workers' strike.

From BBC

"Education has been disrupted, jobs lost and a school community disbanded. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those most impacted by this news," it added.

From BBC

It has asked for a 32-hour week, and said "we are not going on strike to disrupt small businesses or the public".

From BBC

Microsoft's Azure cloud services have been disrupted by undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea, the US tech giant says.

From BBC

Related Words

• breach 
• break into 
• obstruct