Meaning
To disrupt means to interrupt or disturb the normal course or flow of something, especially by causing confusion, disorder, or temporary stoppage.
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: Verb
- Verb forms: disrupt – disrupted – disrupting
- Transitivity: Transitive (requires an object)
- Typical pattern: disrupt + noun
Common structures:
- disrupt a meeting
- disrupt traffic
- disrupt communication
- disrupt business operations
It is often used in both everyday and business/technology contexts.
Common Phrases
- disrupt the market – to change the way a market functions, usually with innovation.
- disrupt the system – to interrupt or damage a system’s normal operation.
- cause disruption – a noun form often used to mean “to create confusion or delay.”
Collocations
| Verb + disrupt | disrupt + Noun |
|---|---|
| try to disrupt | disrupt service |
| seek to disrupt | disrupt traffic |
| intend to disrupt | disrupt communication |
| — | disrupt the flow |
| — | disrupt the economy |
Examples
- Heavy rain disrupted the train service for several hours.
- Protesters tried to disrupt the conference by shouting slogans.
- The new technology has the potential to disrupt the entire industry.
- A power failure disrupted communication between the two offices.
- Don’t disrupt the class while the teacher is speaking.
- Social media has disrupted traditional advertising models.
- The children’s noise disrupted my concentration.
- The pandemic disrupted global supply chains.
- Sudden layoffs disrupted the company’s operations.
- Construction work disrupted traffic flow downtown.
Synonyms or Related
- disturb
- interrupt
- interfere with
- upset
- destabilize
- derail
Antonym
- stabilize
- maintain
- support
- continue
- sustain