1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
went to investigate the disturbance outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disturbance
In this effective, no-nonsense chiller, a couple – one with an escalating form of parasomnia (a sleep disturbance that leads to fugue-like sleep walking) – seek and don’t get some R&R together and wind up arguing more and getting more agitated as freaky things start to happen.
—
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Cornell would arrive at the scene of these disturbances in a suit and tie, carrying a bag containing notepads, tape recorders, cameras and, on occasion, other, homemade instruments.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
The works, which were still under video surveillance, sat unopened all weekend, with no unusual disturbances recorded.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
The National Hurricane Center currently gives both disturbances a low chance of developing anytime soon.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbance
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Cornell would arrive at the scene of these disturbances in a suit and tie, carrying a bag containing notepads, tape recorders, cameras and, on occasion, other, homemade instruments.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
The works, which were still under video surveillance, sat unopened all weekend, with no unusual disturbances recorded.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
The National Hurricane Center currently gives both disturbances a low chance of developing anytime soon.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbance
Noun
-
On the other side, there was just as much commotion, but these conversations were almost hysterical — and far uglier.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The commotion was a touching proposal from a couple in the crowd.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Many Federal Aviation Administration facilities are so critically short on controllers that just a few absences can cause disruptions, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said that more air traffic controllers have been calling in sick since the shutdown began.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The White House warned that Americans should expect airport delays and disruptions if the shutdown spills into the Thanksgiving holiday, when travel historically spikes.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Crypto crimes once contained to online harassment now often include kidnapping, extortion, and armed threats.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Cybernews found that users sent an average of 107 messages to their AI partners, creating a digital footprint that could be exploited for identity theft, harassment, or blackmail.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Combine the two in a non-reactive container and stir.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Her Cornish Rex cat, Rabbit, is sprawled out on the floor, unconcerned by the two birds (Chicken and Charlie) chirping from an adjacent office or a colleague’s gray-haired cat next door, who seems to be causing a stir.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Bessent sought to project confidence in the wake of the turmoil, announcing not only the $20 billion bailout but also plans to raise another $20 billion from private investors.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The token’s price spiked and then rapidly crashed, prompting criminal complaints, market, turmoil, and a court investigation into whether his promotion aided a scheme run by the token’s organizers.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Serve it for a holiday feast or any dinner that deserves to feel a little fancy without the fuss.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Oversized, statement-making tops that don’t need a lot of fuss, leather jackets, and some autumnal classics, like button-up shirts and turtleneck dresses, have become my go-tos.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Gia Hinman had three hurries and three pass deflections for the Eagles, two of which came on fourth downs.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
-
He's also logged 25 pressures, 15 hurries, and six QB hits, according to Pro Football Focus.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Off set, the noise is deafening for Sweeney, who became a household name over the past two years thanks to a red-hot acting career as well as an American Eagle jeans ad that launched a thousand hot takes.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
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Their noise cancellation is exceptional and the sound quality is top-notch for a pair of wireless earbuds.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disturbance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbance. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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