Definition of DISTURBANCE

disturbance

Plural: disturbances

Noun

  • activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
    • "he looked around for the source of the disturbance"
    • "there was a disturbance of neural function"
  • an unhappy and worried mental state
    • "there was too much anger and disturbance"
  • a disorderly outburst or tumult
    • "they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused"
  • a noisy fight
  • the act of disturbing something or someone; setting something in motion
  • (psychiatry) a psychological disorder of thought or emotion; a more neutral term than mental illness
  • electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication
  • The act of disturbing, being disturbed.
  • Something that disturbs.
  • A noisy commotion that causes a hubbub or interruption.
  • An interruption of that which is normal or regular.
  • A serious mental imbalance or illness.

Examples

  • That guy causes a lot of trouble, you know, he’s such a disturbance.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English disturbaunce, from Old French destorbance, destourbance, from destourber (“disturb”), from Latin disturbō. By surface analysis, disturb + -ance.

Synonyms

affray, commotion, disruption, flutter, folie, fray, hoo-ha, hoo-hah, hurly burly, interference, kerfuffle, mental disorder, mental disturbance, noise, perturbation, psychological disorder, ruffle, to-do, upset

Antonyms

calmness, rumpus

Scrabble Score: 16

disturbance: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
disturbance: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
disturbance: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

disturbance: valid Words With Friends Word