disturb

[dih-sturb] / dɪˈstɜrb /

VERB

bother, upset

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitate alarm amaze annoy arouse astound complicate confuse depress dishearten disrupt distract excite frighten gall interrupt irk irritate outrage perplex perturb plague provoke puzzle rattle shake startle trouble unnerve unsettle vex worry

STRONG

afflict ail badger confound discompose distress fluster grieve harass interfere intrude molest muddle pain pester pique rouse ruffle tire unhinge

WEAK

burn up make uneasy shake up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist bore calm cheer clarify clear up comfort compose delight encourage enlighten exhilarate explain gladden help lull make happy order organize placate please quiet reassure soothe tranquilize

WEAK

appease arrange locate pacify sort

VERB

disorder; dislocate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confuse derange distort unsettle upset

STRONG

disarrange disarray discompose disorganize displace interfere jumble move muddle remove replace shift tamper

WEAK

foul up louse up mess up mix up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

order

STRONG

clear up compose fix leave alone organize remain stay

WEAK

appease arrange calm comfort locate pacify quiet reassure soothe sort

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Maybe Ma meant well, but the whole idea struck me as disturbing.

From Literature

If she were like me, disturbed and struggling, would her hair have been untidy?

From Literature

In agreeing to hear the pair of cases, the justices did not disturb the lower court rulings that blocked the repeals for now.

From Los Angeles Times

The similarities are striking on various levels, as well as comical and more than a little disturbing.

From Salon

On Sunday, Feb. 1, Moody posted up at her dining room table in suburban Chicago and put her phone on “do not disturb.”

From The Wall Street Journal