disrupt

disrupt — verb

1. to stop or interrupt a system, process, event, or calm situation from continuing

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to stop or interrupt a system, process, event, or calm situation from continuing in its usual or expected way.

例句

Road construction outside the library disrupted Shanti's concentration as she prepared for her exams.

disrupt + noun phrase (concentration)

A sudden power failure disrupted the airline's check-in system for over three hours.

同義詞
  • interrupt

    stronger on the idea of a temporary stop; the activity is expected to resume, whereas 'disrupt' often implies more lasting disorder

  • disturb

    softer in tone; can mean causing slight inconvenience or unease without fully stopping an activity

  • interfere with

    phrasal verb suggesting obstruction or hindrance rather than a full break in continuity

反義詞
  • maintain

    to keep a system or process in its current state without interruption

  • stabilize

    to prevent unwanted changes or disruptions from occurring

文法句型

disrupt + noun phrase

用法筆記

Object of the verb is typically a system, process, event, service, or state of concentration — not a person. For example, noise disrupts your work, not 'disrupts you' followed by an infinitive.

常見錯誤

❌The loud noise disrupted me to study.
✅The loud noise disrupted my concentration while I was studying.
💡'disrupt' takes a noun phrase as object (the thing affected), not a person with an infinitive clause.

2. to change an industry, market, or traditional way of doing things in a major way

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to change an industry, market, or traditional way of doing things in a major way through new ideas, technology, or methods.

例句

Streaming platforms like Spotify disrupted the music industry by changing how people listen to songs.

disrupt + industry by + gerund clause

Ayana's company hopes to disrupt the banking sector with a mobile-only payment app.

同義詞
  • revolutionize

    implies more radical and far-reaching change; 'disrupt' sometimes involves incremental but transformative shifts

  • transform

    focuses on the outcome (a changed structure) rather than the process of upending existing players

  • overhaul

    suggests a thorough renovation from top to bottom, not necessarily driven by innovation

反義詞
  • preserve

    to keep traditional methods or industry structures intact

  • uphold

    to support and maintain existing business practices or standards

文法句型

disrupt + noun phrase (industry / market / sector)

用法筆記

Most common in business, technology, and innovation contexts. The related noun 'disruption' often appears alongside this sense, and the adjective 'disruptive' is used in the fixed phrase 'disruptive innovation.'

常見錯誤

❌The new app disrupted people from using old methods.
✅The new app disrupted the traditional hotel industry by making booking faster and cheaper.
💡In this sense, the object is an industry, market, or sector, not a person or group of people.