disturb

/di-ˈstərb/

Middle English disturben, destourben, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French destorber, from Latin disturbare, from dis- + turbare to throw into disorder, from turba disorder

verb

  1. to interfere with : interrupt

  2. to alter the position or arrangement of

  3. to upset the natural and especially the ecological balance or relations of

disturbing the flow of traffic

the items on her desk had been disturbed

discompose disquiet disturb perturb agitate upset fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action. discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress. disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

idiom

  1. to behave in a violent or noisy manner in public

They were arrested for disturbing the peace.