DISTURBANCE Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

disturbance

noun

di-ˈstər-bən(t)s

Definition of disturbance

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity went to investigate the disturbance outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disruption

an act or instance of the order of things being disturbed caused a disturbance in the carefully ordered proceedings

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in harassment

the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another the assistant apologized for the disturbance and got straight to the point

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of disturbance Atomic nuclei are far smaller and better shielded from external disturbances than outer electrons. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026 The military prison study assessed whether the gloves could be used effectively to forcibly remove combative prisoners from their cells, to respond to disturbances in common areas and to transport uncooperative inmates. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 Deputies searched for 38-year-old Marvin Dean White on Saturday morning because he was thought to have been involved in a disturbance on the street, sheriff’s officials said. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026 The domestic disturbance report that led Duran to Fortson’s apartment turned out to be false. — Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disturbance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbance

Noun

There’s a lot of commotion swirling around you, and much of the drama may not even involve you directly.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Robin’s younger sister Riverley heard the commotion and ran for help.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of commotion

Noun

Asian economies are among the biggest customers of energy shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, making any prolonged disruption particularly consequential for the region.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
First, through funding from technology-native companies; and second, through disruption in distribution, whether via streaming or other non-conventional forms that are now mainstream.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of disruption

Noun

The law only became deployed as a vehicle for students to pursue claims of violence or harassment against other students in the 2000s, Armstrong said.

— Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Three freshman Missouri Tigers football players, including two from the Kansas City metro area, were arrested Monday in Columbia on charges of suspicion of first-degree harassment.

— PJ Green October 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of harassment

Noun

Mitch Holthus, the voice of the Chiefs, created quite a stir Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham caused a stir this summer by speaking out against transgender women participating in women’s sports.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of stir

Noun

But deeper into the hills of the Ivy League institution, a homemade banner hanging from student co-op housing Saturday signals roiling turmoil.

— Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
The song, written with Dan Wilson, isn’t just a story of the turmoil that befell the band post-2003.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of turmoil

Noun

The song stays coiled, neither tightening its grip nor exploding into noise.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
The company disputes that 27 odor complaints since 2024 and 67 videos of work being done outside permitted hours referenced in a city staff report represent actual violations of the city’s noise, odor and operating hour rules.

— Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of noise

Noun

There’s something classic about a plate of buffalo wings in front of a TV playing football, and this gets you there without any fuss.

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026
For all the fuss the Edmonton Oilers have generated this offseason, the club will enter the 2026-27 season with a largely unchanged roster.

— Janson Duench, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of fuss

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disturb

disturbance

disturbances

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Style

“Disturbance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbance. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of disturbance

noun

Example Sentences

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