disruptive
adjective
dis·rup·tive
dis-ˈrəp-tiv
: disrupting or tending to disrupt some process, activity, condition, etc. : causing or tending to cause disruption
a disruptive weather pattern
It is hoped that, if the child learns that disruptive behavior brings no rewards, his tantrums will diminish and perhaps stop.—Susan Sheehan
In recent years, airlines began to carry plastic handcuffs as a way to restrain disruptive passengers.—Erik Holm
Other teammates marvel at how easily he morphs from a mild-mannered family man in the locker room into a disruptive force on the field.—Jefri Chadiha
disruptively
adverb
acting disruptively
disruptiveness
noun
… the disruptiveness of climatic change will depend strongly on the rate of change.
—Roger Revelle
Cite this Entry
“Disruptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruptive. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
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