1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
went to investigate the disturbance outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disruption
an act or instance of the order of things being disturbed
caused a disturbance in the carefully ordered proceedings
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
the assistant apologized for the disturbance and got straight to the point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disturbance
On a random note: Long before those assignments, Chuck was pepper-sprayed covering the disturbances in Miami the morning Elián Gonzalez was whisked away by federal authorities.
—
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
But for Americans on the Gulf or Atlantic coasts, the daily weather forecast always comes with a constant thrum of worry — any small disturbance in the Atlantic has the potential to evolve into a major storm.
—Sabrina B. Valenti, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
Jessi's new neighbors called about the disturbance.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 19 May 2025
Anxiety can be excessive worry with fatigue, poor concentration, or disturbances in sleep.
—Angela Ryan Lee, Health, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbance
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
But for Americans on the Gulf or Atlantic coasts, the daily weather forecast always comes with a constant thrum of worry — any small disturbance in the Atlantic has the potential to evolve into a major storm.
—Sabrina B. Valenti, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
Jessi's new neighbors called about the disturbance.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 19 May 2025
Anxiety can be excessive worry with fatigue, poor concentration, or disturbances in sleep.
—Angela Ryan Lee, Health, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbance
Noun
-
After 'tremendous commotion,' Cassie screamed, 'Isn't anybody seeing this?' Some of the most compelling testimony has come from former Combs former personal assistant, George Kaplan.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
-
Video footage from that day shows commotion and ICE agents entangled with members of Congress and their staff.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Because the future of work won’t belong to those who never face disruption.—
Andrew Fennell,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Huge obstacles like inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions halt growth and the ability to compete in the modern economy.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Spacey’s visit to Cannes, which Variety understands could even include a red carpet appearance at the Palais, is likely to cause something of a stir.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
18 May 2025
-
His comments caused such a stir that team owner John Henry flew to meet with Devers in Kansas City, where the team was playing last week.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
Brown said those Big Tech companies affirming or even raising guidance saved the entire stock market from the massive turmoil in April.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
20 May 2025
-
How a Sustainable Clothing Entrepreneur Spends Her Sundays That remarkable string of turmoil comes as Mr. Trump has sought to enlist the tax collection agency in exacting political retribution.—
Andrew Duehren,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
The clip shows the dog making a bee line for his favorite worker and receiving plenty of fuss.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
-
The next day there was a lot of fuss in the newspapers.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Pod coffee was an easier way to make a single cup in a hurry.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
-
Rafael Nadal was a tennis warrior, to be sure: a competitive beast dripping with sweat and relentless in-the-moment ambition who could give the opposition a faraway gaze in a hurry.—
Christopher Clarey,
Air Mail,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
These underwater cameras record which animals swim by without the noise usually associated with a person at the end of that capture, providing snapshots of reef life that are difficult to capture otherwise.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
From the Guentzel, Burns and (both) Rantanen trades, to the signing of Orlov and the blockbuster deal that started it all — Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin to Calgary for Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland and Adam Fox — Carolina isn’t afraid to make noise.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disturbance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbance. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share