disrupt
dihs-RUHPT
Disrupt (verb) means to throw a process, system, or situation into confusion by interrupting its normal flow. Example: “A power cut disrupted production at the factory for two days.”
verb
1
To throw a process, system, or situation into confusion by interrupting its normal flow.
"A power cut disrupted production at the factory for two days."
"Protesters disrupted the meeting by shouting from the back of the room."
2
To radically change an industry or market by introducing a better or cheaper way of doing things.
"Streaming services disrupted the way people watch television."
"The startup hopes to disrupt the taxi industry with its app."
How to use disrupt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo break up something that was running smoothly, or to shake up an entire industry with a new way of doing things.
Common pairings
disrupt the market
disrupt a meeting
disrupt supply chains
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- disrupts
- Past tense
- disrupted
- Comparative
- more disrupt
- Superlative
- most disrupt
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A power cut _____ production at the factory for two days.
Etymology
From Latin disrumpere, "to break apart," from dis- ("apart") + rumpere ("to break") — the same root gives us "rupture."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “disrupt” mean?
The word “disrupt” means to throw a process, system, or situation into confusion by interrupting its normal flow. In plain terms, to break up something that was running smoothly, or to shake up an entire industry with a new way of doing things.
How do you pronounce “disrupt”?
“Disrupt” is pronounced dihs-RUHPT (/dɪsˈɹʌpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “disrupt” in a sentence?
Here is “disrupt” used in a sentence: “A power cut disrupted production at the factory for two days.”
What part of speech is “disrupt”?
“Disrupt” is a verb.
Where does the word “disrupt” come from?
The word “disrupt” comes from Latin. From Latin disrumpere, "to break apart," from dis- ("apart") + rumpere ("to break") — the same root gives us "rupture.".
Is “disrupt” a common word?
“Disrupt” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “disrupt” have?
“Disrupt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to throw a process, system, or situation into confusion by interrupting its normal flow.
What is the difference between disrupt and interrupt?
Disrupt implies throwing something into disorder or confusion, often affecting an entire process or system, as in "disrupt the supply chain." Interrupt more narrowly means to break in on something temporarily, such as interrupting a conversation, without necessarily causing lasting confusion.
What does disrupt mean in a business context?
In business, disrupt describes radically changing an industry or market by introducing a better, cheaper, or more efficient way of doing things, often through new technology. This sense is common in phrases like "disruptive innovation" or "disrupt the taxi industry."
Is disrupt always a negative word?
No, disrupt can be positive, especially in the business and technology sense, where disrupting a market means improving it through innovation. In other contexts, such as disrupting a meeting or a process, it usually carries a negative connotation of unwanted interruption.
