ENGLISH
REFERENCE

disrupt

v.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //dɪsˈɹəpt// UK //dɪsɹˈʌpt// dis·rupt Archaic

v. to stop something from continuing in its normal way. You use this when an event, a system, or a process is interrupted by a problem.

v. to interrupt an event, activity, or process by causing a disturbance or problem. Often used in business contexts to describe radical innovation that changes how a market functions.


SIMPLE

The loud noise will disrupt the meeting.

CONTEXTUAL

Heavy snowfall began to disrupt the local train service, causing long delays for commuters.

COMPLEX

The startup aimed to disrupt the traditional taxi industry by introducing a mobile app that connected drivers directly with passengers.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Latin disruptus, from disrumpo, commonly dirumpo (“to break or burst asunder”), from dis-, di- (“apart, asunder”) + rumpo (“to break”).

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

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