disruptive

/dɪsˈrʌptɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪsˈrʌptɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /dis-ˈrəp-tiv/ (ame, mw)

disruptive — adjective

  • disruptivepositive
  • more disruptivecomparative
  • most disruptivesuperlative

1. describing someone or something that interrupts or prevents an activity, event,

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing someone or something that interrupts or prevents an activity, event, or situation from continuing in a normal, orderly way

例句

The teacher asked the student to leave after his disruptive behaviour continued through the lesson.

attributive use: disruptive + behaviour

Saira's constant tapping was so disruptive that nobody could focus on the exam.

pattern: so + disruptive + that-clause

同義詞
  • troublesome

    more about causing difficulty or worry than about actively interrupting an activity

  • unruly

    only used for people (especially children in groups) who are hard to control; narrower in scope

  • disturbing

    implies emotional upset or anxiety rather than a practical interruption to an activity

反義詞
  • orderly

    describes behaviour that follows rules and does not interrupt

  • disciplined

    focuses on self-control rather than the absence of interruption

文法句型

disruptive + noun

be + disruptive

disruptive + to + noun

so + disruptive + that-clause

用法筆記

Strongly negative — calling someone or something 'disruptive' in this sense is usually a criticism. Frequent in educational and workplace settings where order and quiet are expected.

常見錯誤

❌His behaviour was very disruptive, so the teacher praised him.
✅His behaviour was very disruptive, so the teacher sent him to the principal's office.
💡'disruptive' in this sense is always negative; it does not fit a positive context.
❌The gentle music was disruptive to my sleep.
✅The loud construction noise was disruptive to my sleep.
💡'disruptive' requires something that actively interrupts or breaks the normal flow; gentle sounds do not create this effect.

2. describing a new product, service, or company that changes how an industry tradi

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a new product, service, or company that changes how an industry traditionally works, often making older methods or companies less important as a result

例句

Emre's startup developed a disruptive payment system that replaced traditional banking methods.

attributive use: disruptive + noun (product/company)

The company's disruptive approach to education made online classes affordable for everyone.

同義詞
  • innovative

    broader — does not imply overturning or replacing existing systems; any new idea qualifies

  • revolutionary

    stronger — implies complete replacement of old methods, not just significant change

  • groundbreaking

    more positive — emphasises originality and achievement rather than the overthrowing of established players

反義詞
  • conventional

    describes methods that follow traditional, accepted ways

  • traditional

    focuses on long-established practices rather than new approaches

  • established

    describes companies or methods that are firmly set in the existing system

文法句型

disruptive + noun

the most disruptive + noun

用法筆記

In business and technology contexts, this sense has a positive or neutral connotation — it describes innovation that challenges established norms. Most commonly paired with 'innovation', 'technology', or 'change'. Not used for mere technical faults or glitches.

常見錯誤

❌The new software was disruptive because it kept crashing.
✅The new software was disruptive because it changed how the whole industry operates.
💡In business contexts, 'disruptive' describes innovation that changes norms, not technical problems or bugs.
❌The old, traditional company was very disruptive.
✅The new startup was very disruptive to the traditional industry.
💡'Disruptive' in this sense describes the newcomer that causes the change, not the established company being affected.