Disturb Meaning
Disturb Definition & Usage
To disturb means to cause a disruption or interruption in the usual state or flow of things, often leading to discomfort or inconvenience.
Examples
- "The loud music from the next room disturbed my concentration while I was studying."
- "She was disturbed by the strange noise coming from the attic."
- "The sudden change in weather disturbed the outdoor event, forcing everyone to move indoors."
- "His loud phone conversations in the office disturb the quiet working environment."
- "The barking dog disturbed the neighbors late at night."
To disturb can also mean to cause emotional upset, distress, or anxiety in someone.
Examples
- "The news of the accident disturbed her deeply, and she couldn’t stop thinking about it."
- "He was disturbed by the harsh words his friend had said during the argument."
- "The movie's violent scenes disturbed the children in the audience."
- "The unexpected announcement disturbed everyone in the meeting room."
- "Seeing the homeless people on the street disturbed him, making him question society's priorities."
Disturb can also refer to physically moving or altering something from its original position, often causing disorder.
Examples
- "Please don’t disturb the papers on my desk; they’re in order for tomorrow’s meeting."
- "The wind disturbed the surface of the water, creating ripples."
- "I accidentally disturbed the arrangement of the books when I was cleaning the shelf."
- "The earthquake disturbed the foundations of many buildings in the area."
- "The children disturbed the sandcastle by running across the beach."
Cultural Context
The word 'disturb' has a long history, with roots in Latin and French, and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It can be used to describe physical disruptions (such as noise or environmental changes) or emotional distress (such as mental discomfort or worry).
The Unexpected Disruption
Story
The Unexpected Disruption
On a quiet Sunday afternoon, Sarah was curled up with a book in her favorite chair by the window, enjoying the calmness of the day. The sun shone through the trees outside, casting soft shadows across the room. She had just reached the most gripping chapter when, suddenly, a loud screeching sound broke her concentration. A neighbor’s dog had begun barking frantically, its yelps echoing across the street. She frowned and tried to refocus, but the noise was relentless. The peaceful atmosphere had been disturbed, and her mind was racing as she tried to regain her place in the story. Just as she was about to give up and move to a quieter spot, her phone buzzed with a message from her friend, Jenny. The message was brief, but the content disturbed Sarah more than she expected: 'I think I lost my job today. Call me when you can.' Sarah's heart sank as she read the words. The carefree afternoon was gone, replaced by a deep unease that lingered long after she put the phone down. Later that evening, Sarah met Jenny at the coffee shop, where the mood was far from light. Jenny’s usual lively demeanor was absent, replaced by a quiet sadness. 'I can’t believe it,' Jenny said, sipping her coffee slowly. 'I never expected it to happen this way.' The conversation turned serious, and Sarah could tell that the news had disturbed her friend deeply. In a final twist, as they were leaving the coffee shop, a man’s argument with the barista over a misplaced order disturbed the otherwise peaceful evening, adding another layer of discomfort to the day. They both stood outside for a moment, absorbing the chaos around them, before walking away in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about how unpredictable life could be.
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