disruptive
adjective
dis·rup·tive
dis-ˈrəp-tiv 
: disrupting or tending to disrupt some process, activity, condition, etc. : causing or tending to cause disruption
a disruptive weather pattern
It is hoped that, if the child learns that disruptive behavior brings no rewards, his tantrums will diminish and perhaps stop.—
Susan Sheehan
Susan SheehanIn recent years, airlines began to carry plastic handcuffs as a way to restrain disruptive passengers.—Erik Holm
Erik HolmOther teammates marvel at how easily he morphs from a mild-mannered family man in the locker room into a disruptive force on the field.—Jefri Chadiha
Jefri Chadiha
disruptively
adverb
acting disruptively
disruptiveness
noun
… the disruptiveness of climatic change will depend strongly on the rate of change.
—Roger Revelle
Roger Revelle
Examples of disruptive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These skills empower companies to launch new ventures with minimal upfront investment, adapt quickly to disruptive changes in the markets, reduce reliance on traditional R&D cycles, and identify and scale high-potential business models.
—Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Diagnosis If your constipation is disruptive or uncomfortable, consider seeing a healthcare provider who can diagnose constipation and its cause.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 8 Apr. 2025
According to Tanzi's mother, the abuse made Tanzi become more disruptive, angry and troublesome, according to court records.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Schumer cited studies by major banks putting the chances of a nationwide recession at more than 50% given Trump’s disruptive plans for tariffs that could raise costs for the average family up to $3,000 a year.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
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Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Diagnosis If your constipation is disruptive or uncomfortable, consider seeing a healthcare provider who can diagnose constipation and its cause.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 8 Apr. 2025
According to Tanzi's mother, the abuse made Tanzi become more disruptive, angry and troublesome, according to court records.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Schumer cited studies by major banks putting the chances of a nationwide recession at more than 50% given Trump’s disruptive plans for tariffs that could raise costs for the average family up to $3,000 a year.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruptive
Cite this Entry
“Disruptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruptive. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
disruptive
adjective
dis·rup·tive
dis-ˈrəp-tiv
: characterized by psychologically disorganized behavior
a confused, incoherent, and disruptive patient in the manic phase
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