disruptive
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for disruptive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Causing trouble, disorder, or interruption to normal activity.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
non-disruptive
nondisruptive
How to use disruptive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
disruptive behavior
disruptive technology
disruptive innovation
Etymology
From disrupt + -ive; the business sense was popularized in the 1990s by writer Clayton Christensen's work on "disruptive innovation."
Full origin of disruptive →Frequently asked questions
What does “disruptive” mean?
The word “disruptive” means causing trouble, disorder, or interruption to normal activity. In plain terms, either "causing trouble/disorder" or, in business, "radically changing an industry.".
How do you pronounce “disruptive”?
“Disruptive” is pronounced dihs-RUHP-tihv (/dɪsˈɹʌptɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “disruptive” in a sentence?
Here is “disruptive” used in a sentence: “The teacher asked the disruptive students to sit apart.”
What is the opposite of “disruptive”?
The opposite of “disruptive” — its antonyms — are non-disruptive and nondisruptive.
What part of speech is “disruptive”?
“Disruptive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “disruptive” come from?
The word “disruptive” dates back to around 1990. From disrupt + -ive; the business sense was popularized in the 1990s by writer Clayton Christensen's work on "disruptive innovation.".
Is “disruptive” a common word?
“Disruptive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “disruptive” have?
“Disruptive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing trouble, disorder, or interruption to normal activity.
