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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disturb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disturb are agitate, discompose, disquiet, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When is it sensible to use agitate instead of disturb?

In some situations, the words agitate and disturb are roughly equivalent. However, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When is discompose a more appropriate choice than disturb?

The synonyms discompose and disturb are sometimes interchangeable, but discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When can disquiet be used instead of disturb?

The meanings of disquiet and disturb largely overlap; however, disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When would fluster be a good substitute for disturb?

While the synonyms fluster and disturb are close in meaning, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disturb?

Although the words perturb and disturb have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

In what contexts can upset take the place of disturb?

The words upset and disturb can be used in similar contexts, but upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

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 disturb Like most wildlife that comes to your yard, such as deer or raccoons, birds may at first be disturbed by something new, such as windchimes. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2025 Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth’s opening statement was repeatedly interrupted by several protesters who were swiftly removed from the hearing room after disturbing his confirmation proceedings with shouts and cries. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025 The volcano’s light illuminates a double lenticular cloud, or a UFO-like cloud formation created when a mountain disturbs air flow and creates standing waves above it. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025 The restaurant’s owner requested that the police detain the tourist for intoxication and disturbing the public order; on Sunday, Cabo Rojo’s mayor said that the responding officer had been suspended while the case was being investigated. Graciela Mochkofsky, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for disturb 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturb
Verb
  • Theresa’s nose has been bothering her and one of her children has asthma.
    Simmone Shah, TIME, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Ludvig Aberg, who shared the second-round lead with Griffin, was bothered by illness throughout the round.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The move is an apparent effort to repeal President Biden’s executive order to remove potential workforce barriers for the outlined demographic in 2021.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The site, however, was removed during Trump's first term which started in 2017.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • West End production of The Tempest was disrupted by climate crisis protesters on Monday night.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The shooting marks the latest example of everyday tasks being disrupted by gunfire in the US.
    Taylor Romine, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • With market participants worried about deflation and banks struggling to gin up demand for loans, there has been a flood of funds into government bonds, driving yields to record lows.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025
  • As writers stopped worrying about viewers losing the thread, their shows started resembling ultra-long films.
    Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • As for the missing children, Arya is described as 3 feet tall, weighing 25 lbs.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Beatrice’s second daughter was born at 12.57 p.m. local time on January 22, weighing four pounds and five ounces, the palace said in a statement.
    Jack Guy, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • As a result, too many of the Syrians who should be rebuilding their country for the better are distracted by poverty and shut out of power.
    Fawaz A. Gerges, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The scene grows more and more chaotic: Simons is easily distracted by pieces of the set and cannot seem to follow his director’s cues.
    Luke Chinman, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Maybe the Evil Empire really has relocated to the West Coast.
    Chris Kirschner, The Athletic, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Go deeper: Popular vintage and consignment shop Thrift Pony relocating to Camp North End Locker Room CLT Location: 4090 Raleigh St. What to expect: Vintage sports apparel, particularly North Carolina sports apparel from the 80s and 90s, as Axios' Alexis Clinton reported.
    Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Some residents have confused local law enforcement for ICE agents, said Earl Stoddard, an assistant chief administrative officer in Montgomery County, a sign of locals' anxieties that their neighborhood could be the agency's next target.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2025
  • After a whirlwind of speculation and confusing back-and-forth negotiations, the Jacksonville Jaguars have officially hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near disturb

Cite this Entry

“Disturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturb. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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