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Disturbed: meaning, definitions and examples

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disturbed

 

[dɪˈstɜːrbd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling or showing distress

affected by an emotional disturbance; troubled or uneasy

Synonyms

perturbed, troubled, upset.

Examples of usage

  • He seemed disturbed by the news of her illness.
  • She looked disturbed and distracted.
Context #2 | Adjective

having the normal pattern or function interrupted

interrupted or impaired in a usual function

Synonyms

disrupted, impaired, interrupted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disturbed

Use when describing someone who is emotionally or mentally troubled, or when someone is bothered or upset by something.

  • She was deeply disturbed by the news of the accident.
  • He is mentally disturbed and needs professional help.
disrupted

Use when describing a situation where normal operation or flow is broken or interrupted, often suddenly or unexpectedly.

  • The storm disrupted the power supply for several hours.
  • Their conversation was disrupted by a loud noise from the street.
interrupted

Use when describing a situation where someone or something is briefly stopped or hindered.

  • Their meeting was interrupted by a phone call.
  • She was interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on the door.
impaired

Use when referring to a reduced capability or function, often in a medical or technical context.

  • Her hearing is impaired and she needs a hearing aid.
  • The driver's vision was impaired by the bright sunlight.

Examples of usage

  • The disturbed behavior of the patient raised concerns.
  • The disturbed sleep patterns affected her performance.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • The term describes emotional states where a person feels unsettled or disquieted, often impacting their thoughts and behaviors.
  • In mental health, being disturbed may indicate experiencing anxiety, depression, or trauma responses.
  • Professionals often seek signs of being disturbed in children to help identify underlying issues that need support.

Art and Literature

  • Many artists and writers explore themes of disturbance to reflect the chaos of human emotions.
  • Edward Munch's famous painting 'The Scream' represents feelings of existential dread, echoing the concept of being disturbed.
  • Literary characters often undergo disturbing events, causing their development or the story's plot to explore deeper psychological themes.

Music

  • The term also features in various song titles and themes, often reflecting angst or personal struggles.
  • 'Disturbed' is a popular rock band known for their intense sound and themes of inner turmoil.
  • Musical compositions may capture a disturbed state through dissonance, symbolizing conflict or unrest.

Social Context

  • In social settings, being disturbed can mean feeling uncomfortable due to a situation that disrupts peace or normalcy.
  • Movements advocating for mental health awareness often address disturbance as a common human experience, promoting empathy and understanding.
  • Disturbance in public spaces, like noise or conflict, can lead to community actions aiming to restore peace.

Translations

Translations of the word "disturbed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perturbado

🇮🇳 परेशान

🇩🇪 gestört

🇮🇩 terganggu

🇺🇦 занепокоєний

🇵🇱 zaniepokojony

🇯🇵 混乱した

🇫🇷 perturbé

🇪🇸 perturbado

🇹🇷 rahatsız

🇰🇷 혼란스러운

🇸🇦 منزعج

🇨🇿 znepokojený

🇸🇰 znepokojený

🇨🇳 扰乱的

🇸🇮 vznemirjen

🇮🇸 truflaður

🇰🇿 алаңдаған

🇬🇪 აღელვებული

🇦🇿 narahat

🇲🇽 perturbado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,464, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.