perturb

verb

pər-ˈtərb How to pronounce perturb (audio)
Definition of perturbnext
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the caller's strange remark perturbed me enough to keep me awake that night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb perturb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perturb are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, fluster, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

In what contexts can agitate take the place of perturb?

Although the words agitate and perturb have much in common, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

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

When would discompose be a good substitute for perturb?

While the synonyms discompose and perturb are close in meaning, 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 is disquiet a more appropriate choice than perturb?

While in some cases nearly identical to perturb, disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When can disturb be used instead of perturb?

In some situations, the words disturb and perturb are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to perturb?

The words fluster and perturb can be used in similar contexts, but fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When might upset be a better fit than perturb?

The meanings of upset and perturb largely overlap; however, 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 perturb But that didn't perturb Nielsen, of San Antonio, Texas, who saw it as a challenge to revive the satchel. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 Far from panicked or perturbed, Tito confidently walks around the tub and even places a paw on her leg, clearly unbothered by the splash zone. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 But Trump is suddenly perturbed by the mere mention of TACO. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025 Trump is perturbed by the lack of movement but is nevertheless still ordering his envoy Steve Witkoff to continue his efforts. —Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for perturb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perturb
  1. disturb
  2. distract
  3. bother
  4. alarm
  5. worry
  6. unsettle
  7. concern
  8. agitate
Verb
  • However, infrared videography can help record what’s going on on the beach without disturbing the turtles or crabs.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 July 2025
  • The first beaver to be released in this project was trapped at Arlington Wildlife Area along the Gila River after causing land management issues, like clogging pipes and disturbing irrigation infrastructure.
    — John Leos, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • While the housing bill got lost among numerous priorities during this year’s legislative session, top leaders are now laser-focused on the issue and will not be distracted.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
  • The president’s critics, meanwhile, accuse him of using the scandal to distract from stalled reforms and growing public dissatisfaction.
    — Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Definition of distract
Verb
  • There’s something delicious about sipping lemonade after a dip in the pool, looking down from the balcony at the day-trippers all hot and bothered below.
    — Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
  • That really bothers me more than anything else; that bothers me more than even being excluded.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • The apostles are alarmed, but Jesus understands his destiny is coming.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 30 June 2025
  • The entire affair—the opening, the closing, the paranoia, and then the alarming news of a shooting (which was unrelated and, thankfully, nonfatal)—could be easily put down to the vagaries of big-city life.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • When Test Track officially opens on July 22, guests will not have to worry about virtual queues.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
  • Mellinger now worries the department will not be able to meet its five-year goals for key performance indicators, which measure progress on the county’s biggest public health challenges.
    — Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 7 July 2025
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Their love is reignited in the most unlikely form, but not everyone welcomes her return—especially March’s family, still unsettled by a ghostly presence that appeared after a factory worker’s death forced their business to close.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • The chaotic shuttering of USAID by Trump and Elon Musk and the still unfolding humanitarian fallout in several African countries has unsettled many.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Definition of unsettle
Verb
  • The suit alleges that several internal memos concerning drugs and other contraband have gone unheeded for years.
    — Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025
  • The warning was released on Monday at 4:41 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Monday at 4:47 p.m.
    — Kansas City Star Bot Updated July 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2025
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Both robots have the same vacuum brush roll design, incorporating rubber fins and bristles to effectively agitate dirt on multiple flooring surfaces while keeping themselves clear of hair tangles.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 July 2025
  • Avoid doing anything to heat or agitate plastic, so quit putting plastic containers in the microwave and kiddie cups in the dishwasher.
    — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 7 July 2025
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

pertness
perturb
perturbable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perturb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturb. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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