disruptor
/dɪsˈrʌptə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪsˈrʌptər/ (ame, ipa)
disruptor — noun
- disruptorsingular
- disruptorsplural
1. someone, or something such as bad weather or noise, that stops a meeting, lesson
someone, or something such as bad weather or noise, that stops a meeting, lesson, event, or system from going on as it should
Tunde was sent out of the maths class for being a constant disruptor.
person disruptor + reason clause
The chairwoman warned that any disruptor of the meeting would be asked to leave.
disruptor of + noun (activity)
Heavy rain became the biggest disruptor of the open-air wedding plans.
Power cuts have been a serious disruptor of small businesses in the village this winter.
Stephanie quickly became known as a disruptor at staff meetings, shouting over her colleagues.
- troublemaker
more general; everyday word for someone who causes problems
- agitator
stresses stirring up other people, often politically
- peacemaker
someone who tries to calm a situation
文法句型
a disruptor of [activity / process]
用法筆記
Often used after 'a' or 'the' and followed by 'of + activity' (a disruptor of the lesson). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is negative and means causing trouble; sense 2 is usually positive and is about changing a whole industry.
常見錯誤
2. a company, and sometimes a person, that uses new ideas or technology to change h
a company, and sometimes a person, that uses new ideas or technology to change how a whole industry works, often making older companies lose customers or money
Netflix became a major disruptor in the global film and television industry.
disruptor in + industry name
Several start-ups are positioning themselves as disruptors of the traditional banking sector.
disruptors of + sector (plural)
Indra started a delivery app that became a real disruptor in the local food market.
Cheap electric scooters have been a quiet disruptor of city transport across Asia.
Many big hotel chains were slow to react to Airbnb, the most famous disruptor in their market.
- innovator
neutral; someone who introduces new ideas, not always shaking up a market
- game-changer
informal; stresses that the change is very large
- trailblazer
stresses being the first to do something new
- incumbent
the established company that the disruptor is challenging
文法句型
a disruptor in [industry / market]
用法筆記
Common in business news; usually positive, suggesting clever innovation rather than trouble. Subject is usually a company or technology, not an ordinary person. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about causing trouble in a single event or group.