disruptive
causing interruption, problems, or disorder
Causing plans, work, or normal life to stop or change in a sudden, difficult way.
[something] is disruptive to [something]
- 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.
- 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.
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.
[someone] is disruptive in [a place]
- 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.
- 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.
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.
[disruptive] [technology / innovation / startup / business model]
- 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.
- 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.
- Base: disruptive
disruptive behavior
1behavior that interrupts activities
Actions that make it hard for a class, meeting, or other group activity to continue in a normal way.
- 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
1major break from existing ways
A big change that breaks old patterns and makes people or companies work in very different ways than before.
- Managers need to prepare their teams for disruptive change.
- The shift to remote work was a disruptive change for many organizations.
disruptive force
1factor causing major change or disorder
Something (like a trend, company, or technology) that causes big changes or problems in a system, market, or society.
- Social media has become a disruptive force in politics.
- Automation is a disruptive force in the labor market.
disruptive innovation
1innovation 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.
- 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
1student who regularly causes trouble
A student who often makes it hard for the teacher to teach and for other students to learn.
- Teachers receive training on how to manage disruptive students.
- The disruptive student was moved to a smaller class for extra support.
disruptive technology
1technology that transforms markets
A new kind of technology that changes how an industry works and often replaces older technologies.
- Cloud computing became a disruptive technology for traditional software companies.
- The report lists five disruptive technologies that could change the energy sector.