disturbance

noun
UK: /dɪˈstɜː.bəns/
US: /dɪˈstɝː.bəns/

  1. An interruption of peace or quiet; a situation in which people are behaving badly

    1. Sorry for the disturbance, I didn't mean to interrupt.
    2. The loud party next door was a major disturbance to the entire neighborhood.

  2. Something that interrupts you or causes trouble.

    1. I had a disturbance at work today.
    2. Phone calls are a constant disturbance when I'm trying to concentrate on my work.

  3. Worry; anxiety.

    1. News of the accident caused a great disturbance.
    2. The political upheaval created widespread disturbance among the citizens.

  4. A condition in which someone is not thinking or behaving normally, usually because of mental illness.

    1. He was charged with causing a disturbance.
    2. The psychiatrist diagnosed her with a significant emotional disturbance.

Synonyms

uproar turmoil annoyance trouble agitation commotion bother disruption interruption
disturbance transitive-verb

  1. To interrupt someone when they are trying to work, sleep, etc.

    1. Don't disturb me when I'm working.
    2. Please don't disturb your sister, she is trying to study for her exams.

  2. To move or knock something out of its usual position

    1. The wind disturbed the papers on the desk.
    2. Careful not to disturb the archaeological site during the excavation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "disturbance" in English means: An interruption of peace or quiet; a situation in which people are behaving badly, Something that interrupts you or causes trouble., Worry; anxiety., A condition in which someone is not thinking or behaving normally, usually because of mental illness..

The phonetic transcription of "disturbance" is /dɪˈstɜː.bəns/ in British English and /dɪˈstɝː.bəns/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "disturbance": uproar, turmoil, annoyance, trouble, agitation, commotion, bother, disruption, interruption.

Example usage of "disturbance": "Sorry for the disturbance, I didn't mean to interrupt.". More examples on the page.