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Disturb

/dɪsˈtɜːb/

Disturbance

📖 Definitions of "Disturb"

noun
  1. 1

    Disturbance

verb
  1. 1

    To confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm, continuous flow, in particular: thoughts, actions or liquids.

    "A school of fish disturbed the water."

  2. 2

    To divert, redirect, or alter by disturbing.

    "A mudslide disturbed the course of the river."

  3. 3

    To have a negative emotional impact; to cause emotional distress or confusion.

    "A disturbing film that tries to explore the mind of a serial killer."

🔄 Synonyms of "Disturb"

9 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

WordDefinition
touchnounPrimarily physical senses.
troublenounA distressing or dangerous situation.
upsetverb(of a person, predicative only) Angry, distressed, or unhappy
agitateverb(transitive) To disturb or excite; to perturb or stir up (a person).
interruptverb(ambitransitive) To disturb or halt (an ongoing process or action, or the person performing it) by interfering suddenly, especially by speaking.
commoveverb(dated, transitive) To move violently; to agitate, excite or rouse
stir upverb(transitive) To arouse or excite (passion or action, etc.).
shake upverb(transitive, informal) To reorganize, to make reforms in.
raise upverb(transitive) To raise (put at a higher level)

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Disturb"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

WordDefinition
troubleverbA distressing or dangerous situation.
upsetverb(uncountable) Disturbance or disruption.
agitateverb(transitive) To disturb or excite; to perturb or stir up (a person).
commoveverb(dated, transitive) To move violently; to agitate, excite or rouse
shake upverb(transitive, informal) To reorganize, to make reforms in.
stir upverb(transitive) To arouse or excite (passion or action, etc.).
interruptverb(ambitransitive) To disturb or halt (an ongoing process or action, or the person performing it) by interfering suddenly, especially by speaking.
touchverbPrimarily physical senses.
raise upverb(transitive) To raise (put at a higher level)
disturbancenounThe act of disturbing, being disturbed.
disruptverb(transitive) To throw into confusion or disorder.
perturbverbTo disturb; to bother or unsettle.
harassverb(specifically) To persistently bother (someone, or a group of people) physically or psychologically when such behaviour is illegal and/or unwanted, especially over an extended period.
pesterverb(transitive) To bother, harass, or annoy persistently.
molestverbTo sexually assault or sexually harass.
botherverb(transitive) To annoy, to disturb, to irritate; to be troublesome to, to make trouble for.
annoyverb(transitive) To disturb or irritate, especially by continued or repeated acts; to bother with unpleasant deeds.
confuseverb(transitive) to puzzle, perplex, baffle, bewilder (somebody); to afflict by being complicated, contradictory, or otherwise difficult to understand
embarrassverb(transitive) to humiliate; to disrupt somebody's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely; to abash.
offendverb(transitive) To hurt the feelings of; to displease; to make angry; to insult.

Words Strongly Associated with "Disturb"

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🏷️ Nouns for "Disturb"

Common nouns this word is used to describe.

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