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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disturb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disturb are agitate, discompose, disquiet, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When is it sensible to use agitate instead of disturb?

In some situations, the words agitate and disturb are roughly equivalent. However, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When is discompose a more appropriate choice than disturb?

The synonyms discompose and disturb are sometimes interchangeable, but discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When can disquiet be used instead of disturb?

The meanings of disquiet and disturb largely overlap; however, disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When would fluster be a good substitute for disturb?

While the synonyms fluster and disturb are close in meaning, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disturb?

Although the words perturb and disturb have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

In what contexts can upset take the place of disturb?

The words upset and disturb can be used in similar contexts, but upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

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 disturb Every time a noise-polluting helicopter disturbs people below, productivity declines and blood pressure rates increase. Eric Katzman, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025 Storms that swept through the area over the winter may have disturbed the sand enough to reveal the wreckage. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025 And that leads to the last disturbing wrinkle in this case — the role played by James Uthmeier, recently appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as the replacement for former Attorney General Ashley Moody. Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2025 Beaches aren’t typically hotspots for these kinds of fossils unless something is disturbing the seafloor nearby and carrying the remains to shore. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for disturb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturb
Verb
  • After years of ‘losing culture,’ can the new-look Chicago Bears turn things around on defense? Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • Users do have to purchase such gadgets, learn how to utilize them, and put them on their body, however, which are all steps that many folks simply won't bother taking.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • To remove that barrier, managers can ensure their team receives basic AI literacy and capability training.
    Heide Abelli, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sent a licensed trapper to remove the injured alligator, officials said.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt college, boarding-school or exchange students’ plans to enroll in summer and fall terms.
    Annie Ma, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • Despite the sharp decline in sales, Capri’s inventories were up 1 percent at the end of the quarter, reflecting $60 million of goods that were brought in earlier than planned in a sourcing landscape that’s been disrupted by President Donald Trump’s trade war.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • These trends are causing 67% of the workforce to worry about the economy’s impact on their current jobs, according to the Workforce Pulse Survey from Remote.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • From the moment President Donald Trump took office, Flo has worried and contemplated her next steps.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Attorney and longtime political donor John Morgan, founder of the mega personal injury firm Morgan & Morgan, created his own independent party this year and is also weighing a run for governor in the Sunshine State, despite supporting Democratic candidates and causes in the past.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
  • Many expect Durant to be moved after another year of underperforming with the Suns, while Antetokounmpo is weighing his future in Milwaukee.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Growth must reinforce strategy, not distract from it.
    Ayo Adepoju, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • But when the pair get to a higher point in order to try to see where the Wolves are/where Tommy might be, Ellie is distracted by a nearby aquarium, which has a giant ferris wheel nearby.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Recently relocating from London to Lisbon, the company has said Puro-Steele’s remit will be to oversee the agency’s strategic growth ambitions, particularly its goal of elevating Portuguese and Iberian Peninsula talent on the global stage.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 May 2025
  • Erik said she’s heard of several companies closing or relocating parts of their business.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Elections and Certifications Don’t confuse a benefit or B corporation with a B Corp.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • The measures are set to take effect on Monday and have left many Haitians confused.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturb. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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