disturbed

1 of 2

adjective

dis·​turbed di-ˈstərbd 

1

: experiencing or exhibiting emotional disturbance or agitation : having a mental disability or illness

… the San Francisco police department, for example, handles 18,000 calls involving emotionally disturbed citizens every year.

—Newsweek

2

a

: characterized or affected by interference, alteration, or disruption

restoration of disturbed habitats

disturbed sleep

b

: departing or deviating from a normal condition : marked by impairment

disturbed glucose metabolism

a disturbed gait

disturbed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of disturb

Examples of disturbed in a Sentence

Adjective

He seems very disturbed about his work lately.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Cops described him as emotionally disturbed, although his only prior interaction with NYPD cops was an arrest for petty larceny last month in the Bronx, officials said. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026

Investigators noticed disturbed vegetation near a large culvert about 100 yards from the truck and sent in a sheriff's K-9. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Come back to the conversation Whereas adults may be able to more quickly move on with their daily lives after feeling disturbed or frightened by upsetting media, children may experience more elevated and prolonged stress. — Anahi Collado, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

This toxic plant flourishes in disturbed areas and prefers moist soils. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for disturbed

• undisturbed
• unperturbed
• curbed
• perturbed

Kids Definition

disturbed

adjective

dis·​turbed

dis-ˈtərbd

: showing signs of mental or emotional illness

Medical Definition

disturbed

adjective

dis·​turbed dis-ˈtərbd 

1

: experiencing or exhibiting emotional disturbance or agitation : having a mental disability or illness

Emotionally disturbed students over a long period of time and to a marked degree exhibit such characteristics as a general pervasive mood of depression, a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems or an inability to learn.

—Rodney Tanaka, San Gabriel Valley (California) Tribune

2

a

: characterized or affected by alteration or disruption

disturbed sleep

b

: departing or deviating from a normal condition : marked by impairment

disturbed glucose metabolism

a disturbed gait