disturbance

/dɪˈstɜːbəns/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈstər-bən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

disturbance — noun

  • disturbancesingular
  • disturbancesplural

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • peace

    the absence of disturbance in a general sense

  • calm

    a state free from disturbance or agitation

文法句型

disturbance + to + noun phrase

adjective + disturbance

用法筆記

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).

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • order

    the normal peaceful state of a public space

  • tranquility

    a state of calm free from disruption

文法句型

adjective + disturbance

report a disturbance

cause a disturbance

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞C1
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞

文法句型

charged with + disturbance

causing a disturbance

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

adjective + disturbance

experience + disturbance

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.'