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disrupt Definition

dis·rupt (dis rupt′, dis′-)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

  1. to break apart; split up; rend asunder
  2. to disturb or interrupt the orderly course of (a social affair, meeting, etc.)

Etymology: < L disruptus, pp. of disrumpere, to break apart < dis-, apart (see dis-) + rumpere, to break: see rupture

Related Forms:

disrupt Synonyms

disrupt

v.

  1. To break

    interrupt, intrude, obstruct, break up; see interrupt 2, meddle 1.

  2. To confuse

    upset, disturb, disorder, agitate; see confuse.

disrupt Usage Examples

Object

  • functioning: Dropped on highly populated areas, antipersonnel bombs could severely disrupt the functioning of North Vietnam.
  • flow: Even worse, it was feared that a fan site might disrupt the flow of the story, something which most people were against.
  • biofilms: This will provide a new approach to preventing biofilm formation and disrupting established biofilms.
  • sleep: Taken too close to bedtime they can disrupt sleep.
  • ecosystem: These are mainly environmental and disrupt the ecosystem around the dam.
  • chemical: This is the first experimental evidence of an endocrine disrupting chemical causing the illness.

Subject

  • weather: Flights to Orkney are expensive and frequently disrupted by bad weather.
  • injury: During 2000/01 Alan's season was disrupted by injury which restricted him to only 23 appearances.

Adjective complement

  • due: The training camp at the beginning of term was slightly disrupted due to the Cam being frozen solid.

Modifying Another Word

  • severely: Occupation of the villa, however, was severely disrupted at the end of the 3rd century.
  • seriously: Meat supplies to Smithfield market in London were seriously disrupted with no Scottish beef reaching the market at all.
  • temporarily: Changes to bus services in Carmarthen BUS services from Carmarthen Railroad Station will be disrupted temporarily while essential maintenance work is carried out.
  • unfairly: Primarily for the purpose of unfairly disrupting the business of the Complainant.
  • violently: We even become the " honored guests " at the Macbeths ' violently disrupted banquet.
  • badly: When there is a heavy snowfall or severe icing services can be very badly disrupted, or even totally suspended.

Used with why or when

  • when: In February 2000 road and rail traffic was badly disrupted when one supporting wall was demolished by a lorry.

Present participle complement

  • exist: That permits might disrupt existing commercial relationships in this case is much less likely than if permits were awarded to landfill operators.
  • learn: You may have missed out at school due to ill health, difficult family circumstances or disrupted learning.

Preposition: by

  • weather: Flights to Orkney are expensive and frequently disrupted by bad weather.
  • injury: During 2000/01 Alan's season was disrupted by injury which restricted him to only 23 appearances.