English Reference
verb · adjective

disrupting

v. · adj.
US /dɪsˈɹəptɪŋ/ UK /dɪsɹˈʌptɪŋ/ dis·rupt·ing

  1. 01 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.

    Simple

    The loud construction work outside was disrupting our morning meeting.

    In context

    Protesters were accused of disrupting the international summit by blocking the main entrance to the convention centre.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced AcademicTechnical Computing

    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.

    Simple

    New smartphone apps are disrupting the way people book taxis.

    In context

    The startup succeeded in disrupting the traditional banking sector by offering fee-free international transfers through a peer-to-peer network.

    revolutionisingshaking up
  3. 03 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.

    Simple

    The disrupting influence of the new rules caused a lot of confusion in the office.

    In context

    The report highlighted several disrupting factors that prevented the supply chain from recovering after the storm.

Kyiv said at the time it was targeting logistics hubs used by Russians to buy military equipment and disrupting supplies to the Russian army.

BBC News· 16 Aug 2026

It is not the first time people have been fined for disrupting animals in the Svalbard region.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated