Definition

1. Noun:
   • An interruption of a peaceful or settled state: A "disturbance" is something that breaks the quiet, order, or normal functioning of a situation, place, or person's mind.
   • A state of agitation or turmoil: It refers to a condition of unrest, commotion, or emotional upset.
   • A public disorder: In a legal or social context, a "disturbance" can be a noisy or violent disruption of public peace.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The loud construction noise caused a great disturbance in the quiet neighborhood.
  • She felt a deep emotional disturbance after hearing the bad news.
  • The police were called to break up the disturbance at the bar.

Advanced Usage

• "To cause a disturbance": To create a disruption or commotion.
  • The protesters were arrested for causing a disturbance outside the government building.
• "Without disturbance": Without interruption or disruption.
  • Please work on this task without disturbance for the next hour.

Variants and Related Words

• Disturb (verb): To interrupt the quiet, rest, or peace of; to agitate mentally.
  • Please do not disturb me while I am working.
• Disturbed (adjective): Agitated or troubled mentally; interrupted.
  • He had a disturbed look on his face.
• Undisturbed (adjective): Not disturbed; peaceful.
  • The ancient ruins lay undisturbed for centuries.

Synonyms

• Disruption: An interruption to the regular flow or sequence of something.
• Commotion: A state of confused and noisy disturbance.
• Upset: A state of being unhappy, disappointed, or worried.

Related Phrases

• Civil disturbance: A public disturbance involving a large group, often relating to protest or unrest.
  • The city declared a curfew following the civil disturbance.
• Sleep disturbance: An interruption to normal sleep patterns.
  • Stress can often lead to sleep disturbance.

Related Idioms

• A storm in a teacup (British) / A tempest in a teapot (American): Refers to a great fuss or disturbance over a trivial matter. This idiom describes a situation that is like a minor disturbance.
  • Their argument over who should make the coffee was just a storm in a teacup.

Noun

1. electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication
2. (psychiatry) a psychological disorder of thought or emotion; a more neutral term than mental illness
3. the act of disturbing something or someone; setting something in motion
4. a noisy fight
5. a disorderly outburst or tumult
   • they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused
6. an unhappy and worried mental state
   • there was too much anger and disturbance
   • she didn't realize the upset she caused me
7. activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
   • the term `distress' connotes some degree of perturbation and emotional upset
   • he looked around for the source of the disturbance
   • there was a disturbance of neural function