Word
disrupting
Phoneticsdis·rupt·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪsˈɹəptɪŋ/
UK/dɪsɹˈʌptɪŋ/
Definitions
01interrupting a process
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to stop an event or activity from continuing as it should.
v. to interrupt an event, activity, or process by causing a disturbance or problem. Transitive — requires a direct object.
“The loud construction work outside was disrupting our morning meeting.”
“Protesters were accused of disrupting the international summit by blocking the main entrance to the convention centre.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02changing an industry
C1 · Advanced Computing Academic · Technical
v. to change a traditional industry or market by using new technology or ideas.
v. to radically change an industry, business sector, or market by introducing new technology or innovative business models.
“New smartphone apps are disrupting the way people book taxis.”
“The startup succeeded in disrupting the traditional banking sector by offering fee-free international transfers through a peer-to-peer network.”
Synonyms
03causing trouble
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing something that causes a mess or stops things from working well.
adj. functioning as a participial adjective to describe an influence that causes disorder or prevents a system from operating normally.
“The disrupting influence of the new rules caused a lot of confusion in the office.”
“The report highlighted several disrupting factors that prevented the supply chain from recovering after the storm.”
Synonyms
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. While it is the present participle of 'disrupt', it frequently functions as a gerund or part of a continuous verb tense.
Pitfall
The noise disrupted to the meeting
The noise disrupted the meeting
Disrupt is a transitive verb and should be followed directly by an object without the preposition 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“Kyiv said at the time it was targeting logistics hubs used by Russians to buy military equipment and disrupting supplies to the Russian army.” “It is not the first time people have been fined for disrupting animals in the Svalbard region.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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