# disrupted

/dɪsˈɹəptɪd/ (US) · /dɪsɹˈʌptɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disrupted
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. interrupted or broken

adjective · CEFR B2

describing something that cannot continue normally because of a problem or change.

For teachers: characterised by an interruption in the normal progress or continuity of an activity, system, or process.

- The storm caused a disrupted train service, leaving many passengers waiting at the station.
- The disrupted supply chain led to significant delays in the manufacturing sector, forcing the company to revise its quarterly projections.

Usage: Often used to describe schedules, services, or biological rhythms like sleep.

### 2. past action of interrupting

verb · CEFR B2

the past tense of 'disrupt', meaning you stopped something from happening in the usual way.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle form of the transitive verb 'disrupt', indicating the act of causing disorder or interrupting a process.

- The loud construction work disrupted our meeting yesterday morning.
- Protesters disrupted the keynote speech, demanding that the board address the environmental concerns raised in the recent report.

Usage: As a verb, it requires a direct object that represents the system or event being interrupted.

## Examples

- The storm disrupted our travel plans.
- Heavy rain disrupted the match, forcing the players to wait under cover for an hour.
- The sudden policy shift disrupted established supply chains, forcing manufacturers to renegotiate contracts with suppliers across three continents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.