disruptive
gb/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv/ us/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv/
B2
English
~ 9000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
causing interruption, problems, or disorder
Causing plans, work, or normal life to stop or change in a sudden, difficult way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is disruptive to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *"disrupting"* instead of *"disruptive"*, for example: "The noise is very disrupting." In most cases you need the adjective: "The noise is very disruptive." Use "disruptive" to describe something that has this quality, and "disrupt" as a verb: "The noise disrupts the class."
Synonyms
disturbing (Focuses more on upsetting or bothering people, while "disruptive" stresses breaking normal activity or order.)
|
destabilizing (Often used for systems or situations; suggests making something unstable, not just briefly interrupted.)
Antonyms
orderly (Describes situations that are calm and well organized, the opposite of something that breaks order.)
|
smooth (Used for processes or events that continue without problems or interruptions.)
Collocations
highly disruptive
|disruptive effect
|disruptive impact
|disruptive to [operations]
|socially disruptive
|economically disruptive
Themes
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The rail strike was extremely disruptive to commuters across the city.
- Renovations can be disruptive, so many employees are working from home this month.
- Frequent power cuts are highly disruptive for small businesses that rely on refrigeration.
- The sudden rule change proved more disruptive than the management had expected.
- Construction noise has been very disruptive to meetings in the office next door.
Learner examples
- The road work was disruptive to traffic.
- Online classes were disruptive to our normal school day.
- Loud phone calls can be disruptive in an open office.
- The storm was disruptive and many trains stopped running.
- Changing the plan at the last minute was very disruptive.
adjective
B2
property
2
habitually causing trouble or interruptions
Describing a person who often makes it hard for others to work, study, or continue an activity in a normal way.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is disruptive in [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "disruptive" with "energetic" and use it for someone who is simply active or lively. "Disruptive" is negative and implies causing problems for others, not just having a lot of energy.
Synonyms
unruly (Suggests that someone is difficult to control or manage, often used for children or crowds.)
|
troublesome (More general; describes someone who often creates problems, not only by interrupting.)
Antonyms
well-behaved (Used especially for children or students who follow rules and do not disturb others.)
|
cooperative (Describes people who work well with others and do not cause interruptions or conflict.)
Collocations
disruptive student
|disruptive child
|disruptive behavior
|disruptive passenger
|disruptive employee
|chronically disruptive
Themes
education
|work
|behavior
Examples
- The teacher asked the parents to come in to discuss their son's disruptive behavior in class.
- Flight attendants are trained to deal with disruptive passengers safely and calmly.
- She was moved to another team because her constant complaints were seen as disruptive to the group.
- The school has a clear policy for managing disruptive students during exams.
- Security escorted the disruptive fan out of the stadium after repeated warnings.
Learner examples
- The boy was very disruptive during the lesson.
- A disruptive student kept talking while the teacher spoke.
- They asked the disruptive passenger to leave the plane.
- Her jokes were funny, but they were also disruptive in the meeting.
- The company fired him because he was too disruptive at work.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
radically changing an industry or market
Describing new products or ideas that change an industry in a big way and make old ways or companies less important.
Usage pattern:
[disruptive] [technology / innovation / startup / business model]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "disruptive" is always negative. In business and technology, "disruptive" is often positive or at least neutral, suggesting powerful innovation, even though it can hurt older businesses.
Synonyms
revolutionary (Very strong and positive; describes something that completely changes a field, not only in business contexts.)
|
game-changing (Informal; stresses a big shift in how success is achieved, often used in marketing language.)
Antonyms
traditional (Describes products or companies that follow established methods rather than changing the market.)
|
incremental (Used for small, step-by-step improvements that do not radically change the industry.)
Collocations
disruptive innovation
|disruptive technology
|disruptive startup
|disruptive business model
|disruptive company
|disruptive change
Themes
business
|technology
Examples
- Streaming services were a disruptive technology that transformed the way people watch movies and TV.
- Investors are looking for truly disruptive startups that can reshape entire industries.
- The company built its strategy around a disruptive business model that cut out middlemen.
- Electric cars were initially seen as a disruptive force in the automotive market.
- Her research focuses on identifying disruptive innovations in healthcare delivery.
Learner examples
- Smartphones were a disruptive technology for mobile phones.
- Many new apps say they are disruptive, but most are not.
- The startup wants to be disruptive in the banking industry.
- Online shopping was disruptive for traditional stores.
- A disruptive company can change how an industry works.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disruptive
IPA
GB/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv/
US/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv/
Syllables & stress
dis - rupt - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (rupt)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: disruptive
Word family
Core family
disrupt
verb B2
disruption
noun B1
Related words
disruptively
adverb
disruptor
noun
Negative and opposite forms
non-disruptive
adjective
Expressions
disruptive behavior
1/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
fixed phrase
behavior that interrupts activities
Actions that make it hard for a class, meeting, or other group activity to continue in a normal way.
Examples
- The school has zero tolerance for disruptive behavior in the classroom.
- He was asked to leave the workshop because of his disruptive behavior.
disruptive change
1/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
major break from existing ways
A big change that breaks old patterns and makes people or companies work in very different ways than before.
Examples
- Managers need to prepare their teams for disruptive change.
- The shift to remote work was a disruptive change for many organizations.
disruptive force
1/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
factor causing major change or disorder
Something (like a trend, company, or technology) that causes big changes or problems in a system, market, or society.
Examples
- Social media has become a disruptive force in politics.
- Automation is a disruptive force in the labor market.
disruptive innovation
1/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv ˌɪnəvˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
innovation that reshapes an industry
A new idea, product, or service that changes an industry in a big way and makes old ways less important or less successful.
Examples
- Many companies now fear missing the next disruptive innovation in their field.
- Online video platforms were a disruptive innovation for traditional television networks.
disruptive student
1/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv stˈudənt/
fixed phrase
student who regularly causes trouble
A student who often makes it hard for the teacher to teach and for other students to learn.
Examples
- Teachers receive training on how to manage disruptive students.
- The disruptive student was moved to a smaller class for extra support.
disruptive technology
1/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv tɛknˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
technology that transforms markets
A new kind of technology that changes how an industry works and often replaces older technologies.
Examples
- Cloud computing became a disruptive technology for traditional software companies.
- The report lists five disruptive technologies that could change the energy sector.