disrupt
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to stop an event or system from continuing as planned.
to interrupt the normal progress or activity of something by causing a disturbance.
Simple“The heavy snow began to disrupt train services across the country.”
In context“Protesters managed to disrupt the conference for several hours, forcing the keynote speaker to wait until security could clear the hall.”
UsageThis is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, such as a process, meeting, or system.
Antonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
to change an industry by using new technology or ideas that replace old ways of doing things.
to radically change an industry or market by introducing a product or service that creates a new value network.
Simple“New smartphone apps continue to disrupt the traditional taxi industry.”
In context“The startup aimed to disrupt the global logistics sector by introducing an autonomous delivery system that bypassed traditional sorting hubs.”
UsageOften used in the context of 'disruptive technology' or 'disrupting the market'.
Synonyms
“Researchers worry round goby could outcompete this and other native fish for food and further disrupt inland freshwater ecosystems.”
“For the more than three million people in the UK working night shifts, and who have little choice but to disrupt their sleep, this may all sound worrying.”
Borrowed from Latin disruptus, from disrumpo, commonly dirumpo (“to break or burst asunder”), from dis-, di- (“apart, asunder”) + rumpo (“to break”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.