1
as in bothers
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
all that talk of war disturbed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in removes
to change the place or position of
the items on her desk had been disturbed by someone
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3
as in disrupts
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
her careful filing system is sure to be disturbed during the move
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4
as in worries
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
sorry to disturb you while you're working
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5
as in weighs
to cause discomfort to or trouble for
please do not disturb yourself—I'll get my own drink
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disturbs
Currently comprising more than 8,300 active satellites, the Starlink constellation also disturbs radio telescope observations.
—
Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The water is perfectly clear — until someone brushes the side of the cave or disturbs the soft bottom, sending fine silt particles billowing into the beam of a headlamp.
—Jennifer Walker, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The water is perfectly clear — until someone brushes the side of the cave or disturbs the soft bottom, sending fine silt particles billowing into the beam of a headlamp.
—Jennifer Walker, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbs
Verb
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Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
What bothers her most is how the refusal seemed to change her brother’s behavior.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Breast reduction — one of the most common cosmetic procedures for men — removes glandular tissue and contours the chest for a more masculine shape.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement The tear-down of the East Wing removes offices used by the First Lady’s staff, the events team that handles events, and the military office, as well as a key entrance where the public arrives for tours and receptions.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cutting down trees disrupts the cycle, reducing rainfall and leading to drought.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
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Sleep deprivation also disrupts mood regulation, often leading to anxiety, irritability or depression.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bob Kaluzny, of Westland, didn't imagine that his rescue labradoodle, Toby, who weighs about 100 pounds, would want to wrangle into a costume.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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The Middlebury Police Department said that the college senior is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Antonio distracts him by accusing him in the town square of sending Justina off to El Alcazar and poisoning his son.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
12 Oct. 2025
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And when our American players have to control the crowd, that distracts them from playing.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His character relocates from NYC to Boston in the series, and Sonequa Martin-Green is his new partner, Lena Silver.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
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The novel follows Cecilia Chen, a wife and mother who reluctantly relocates from Paris to Los Angeles for her husband’s work with their two children in tow.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the state's message confuses parents, especially the poor and underserved, Anzalone said.—
Arthur Allen,
ABC News,
22 Oct. 2025
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But too often, this instinct to chase conflict distorts reality and confuses the public.—
Nancy Gibbs,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rather, what troubles him are the claims that the song’s success has been manufactured.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
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But the financial angle troubles her further.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disturbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbs. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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