disturbance

disturbance — noun

1. something that interrupts a calm or normal situation, making it difficult to con

1.nounB1
Definition

something that interrupts a calm or normal situation, making it difficult to continue what you were doing

Example

The noise from the construction site was a constant disturbance to Jin's online classes.

constant disturbance + to [someone's activity]

A coffee cup crashing onto the tiled floor created such a disturbance that Jisoo lost her place in her book.

such a disturbance + that-clause for result

Common collocations
  • constant disturbance
  • minor disturbance
  • sudden disturbance
  • without disturbance
  • disturbance to sleep
  • disturbance to the peace
Synonyms
  • interruption

    neutral; does not carry the same feeling of unease or worry that disturbance does

  • disruption

    stronger than interruption, implies the flow cannot easily restart

  • distraction

    specifically draws your attention away from what you are doing, without necessarily breaking calm

Antonyms
  • peace

    the absence of disturbance in a general sense

  • calm

    a state free from disturbance or agitation

Grammar Patterns

disturbance + to + noun phrase

adjective + disturbance

Usage Note

Often used with a modifier like 'minor,' 'constant,' or 'sudden' to describe the type of interruption. The preposition 'to' connects the disturbance to the thing it affects (e.g. disturbance to the peace, disturbance to sleep).

Common Mistakes

The phone call was a disturbance to my work.
The phone call was a distraction from my work.
'Disturbance' suggests unease or loss of calm, not just any interruption in focus. For a simple break in attention, 'distraction' is more natural.

2. noisy, angry, or violent behavior by one or more people in a public setting that

2.nounB2
Definition

noisy, angry, or violent behavior by one or more people in a public setting that upsets or frightens others

Example

Police responded to reports of a disturbance involving two groups of angry fans at the stadium.

reports of a disturbance + involving [participants]

A loud disturbance broke out near the market, and vendors shut their stalls in panic.

Common collocations
  • violent disturbance
  • major disturbance
  • minor disturbance
  • report a disturbance
  • cause a disturbance
  • deal with a disturbance
Synonyms
  • commotion

    emphasizes noise and confusion but not necessarily violence

  • disorder

    more formal term, often used by police or media for a breakdown of public order

  • riot

    a much larger and more serious violent outbreak involving property damage

Antonyms
  • order

    the normal peaceful state of a public space

  • tranquility

    a state of calm free from disruption

Grammar Patterns

adjective + disturbance

report a disturbance

cause a disturbance

Usage Note

Can describe anything from a noisy argument between two people to a large street fight. The word does not specify the number of people involved; context provides that information.

Common Mistakes

There was a disturbance at the party because everyone was having fun.
There was a lot of noise at the party because everyone was having fun.
'Disturbance' implies trouble or conflict, not simply excited activity.

3. the crime of behaving in a noisy or violent way in public, which breaks the peac

3.nounC1
Definition

the crime of behaving in a noisy or violent way in public, which breaks the peace and can lead to arrest or a fine

Example

Aaron was charged with causing a disturbance after shouting in the street past midnight.

charged with causing a disturbance — legal context

The judge warned that any disturbance during court proceedings would lead to a penalty.

Common collocations
  • causing a disturbance
  • creating a disturbance
  • charged with disturbance
  • arrested for disturbance
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

charged with + disturbance

causing a disturbance

Usage Note

In British law this is a specific offense under the Public Order Act. Distinguish from sense 2 (PUBLIC DISORDER), which describes the behavior in general terms, whereas this sense refers to the formal legal charge.

Common Mistakes

He was arrested for disturbance.
He was arrested for causing a disturbance.
The legal charge requires the verb 'causing' or 'creating' before 'disturbance.'

4. a medical problem that affects how a person thinks, feels, or acts, or the way a

4.nounB2
Definition

a medical problem that affects how a person thinks, feels, or acts, or the way a part of the body works

Example

The centre offers support for young people with emotional disturbance after a traumatic event.

emotional disturbance + after [cause]

Patients with sleep disturbance often feel exhausted during the day and cannot focus.

Common collocations
  • emotional disturbance
  • sleep disturbance
  • mood disturbance
  • behavioral disturbance
  • psychological disturbance
  • mental disturbance
Synonyms
  • disorder

    the more common medical term (e.g. anxiety disorder), which is generally seen as more severe

  • impairment

    emphasizes the loss of normal function rather than the presence of abnormal patterns

  • dysfunction

    more technical, suggests that something is not working as it should

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

adjective + disturbance

experience + disturbance

Usage Note

In medical contexts, 'disturbance' often sounds less severe than 'disorder.' It is frequently paired with a modifier that names the specific area affected: sleep disturbance, mood disturbance, behavioral disturbance, or emotional disturbance.

Common Mistakes

I felt a disturbance in my stomach.
I felt discomfort in my stomach.
'Disturbance' is not used for ordinary physical pain or discomfort. It is reserved for medical conditions such as 'sleep disturbance' or 'digestive disturbance.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Disturbance is the broadest of these four words, covering any noisy or disruptive public behavior — from a loud argument between two people to a street fight involving dozens. Commotion emphasizes the noise and confused movement of a situation, not necessarily violence: a crowd rushing to see a street performer creates a commotion. Disorder is a more formal term used by police, the media, and in official reports to describe a breakdown of public order that may require official intervention. Riot is the strongest, referring specifically to a large, violent crowd that causes property damage and threatens public safety. A shouting match in a pub is a disturbance. A crowd gathering excitedly around an accident is a commotion. Looting and setting cars on fire after a football match is a riot.

disturbance ↗commotion ↗disorder ↗riot ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • cause a disturbance
  • create a disturbance

Prepositions

  • without disturbance

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Disturbance comes from Latin 'disturbare' (dis- 'completely' + turbare 'to throw into confusion'), which passed into Old French as 'distourber' and then into Middle English as 'disturben.' The noun 'disturbance' has been recorded in English since the 13th century. The medical and psychological meaning — describing a condition where normal mental or bodily function is disrupted — developed in the 19th century as medical terminology expanded.