disturb
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for disturb, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To interrupt someone's peace, quiet, or concentration.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
How to use disturb
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French destorber, from Latin disturbare, "to throw into disorder" — combining dis- with turbare ("to agitate"), the same root as turbulent.
Full origin of disturb →Frequently asked questions
What does “disturb” mean?
The word “disturb” means to interrupt someone's peace, quiet, or concentration. In plain terms, to interrupt, upset, or throw something off its normal calm state.
How do you pronounce “disturb”?
“Disturb” is pronounced dih-STURB (/dɪˈstɝb/ in IPA).
How do you use “disturb” in a sentence?
Here is “disturb” used in a sentence: “Please don't disturb her — she's working on a deadline.”
What is another word for “disturb”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disturb” include upset.
What part of speech is “disturb”?
“Disturb” is a verb.
Where does the word “disturb” come from?
The word “disturb” comes from Latin. From Old French destorber, from Latin disturbare, "to throw into disorder" — combining dis- with turbare ("to agitate"), the same root as turbulent.
Is “disturb” a common word?
“Disturb” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “disturb” have?
“Disturb” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to interrupt someone's peace, quiet, or concentration.
What is the difference between disturb and interrupt?
Disturb generally means to interrupt someone's peace, quiet, or concentration, often implying an unwelcome intrusion, as in "sorry to disturb you." Interrupt more specifically refers to breaking in on an action or speech, such as interrupting a conversation, without necessarily affecting someone's calm or peace of mind.
Can disturb describe an emotional reaction rather than a physical interruption?
Yes, disturb can also mean to upset or trouble someone emotionally, as in "the news disturbed her deeply." In this sense it describes an emotional effect rather than a literal interruption of quiet or activity.