disturbed

/dɪˈstɜːbd/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈstɜːrbd/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈstərbd/ (ame, mw)

disturbed — adjective

  • disturbedpositive
  • more disturbedcomparative
  • most disturbedsuperlative

1. having a mental or emotional illness that makes it hard to think or behave the w

1.形容詞B2
釋義

having a mental or emotional illness that makes it hard to think or behave the way most people do, often as a result of painful experiences in the past

例句

The school has a special programme for emotionally disturbed teenagers who struggle to learn in regular classes.

common collocation: emotionally disturbed

After years of war, many of the children at Chidi's clinic were deeply disturbed.

attributive after intensifier: deeply disturbed

同義詞
  • troubled

    softer; can describe mild worry or serious mental illness

  • unstable

    stresses the risk of sudden change in behaviour

  • unbalanced

    informal; suggests odd or unpredictable thinking

反義詞
  • well-adjusted

    able to handle life and relationships in a healthy way

  • stable

    calm and predictable in mood and behaviour

文法句型

a disturbed [person/child]

be disturbed

用法筆記

Often paired with an adverb like 'emotionally', 'mentally', or 'deeply'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes a lasting condition that usually needs medical or psychological care, not a short-term reaction to one event.

常見錯誤

❌I was disturbed when I missed the bus.
✅I was annoyed when I missed the bus.
💡sense 1 implies a serious mental illness, not everyday frustration.

2. feeling very worried, upset, or shocked because of something that has happened o

2.形容詞B2
釋義

feeling very worried, upset, or shocked because of something that has happened or that you have learned about

例句

Otis was deeply disturbed by the noises he heard coming from his neighbour's flat at night.

pattern: be disturbed by + noun

Many parents felt disturbed to learn that the playground equipment had never been checked for safety.

pattern: disturbed + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • upset

    more general; covers sadness, anger, or worry

  • troubled

    stresses ongoing worry rather than shock

  • shaken

    suggests a strong sudden reaction, often physical

反義詞

文法句型

be disturbed by [something]

be disturbed to [verb]

be disturbed that [clause]

用法筆記

Frequently passive-like (be/feel/look disturbed) and very often followed by 'by'. Distinguish from sense 1: this is a temporary emotional reaction to a specific cause, not a lasting mental condition.

常見錯誤

❌I am disturbed for the news.
✅I am disturbed by the news.
💡the standard preposition with this sense is 'by', not 'for'.