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Disturbed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disturbed

[dษชหˆstษœหrbd ]

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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

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.

Origin of 'disturbed'

The word 'disturbed' originated from the Latin word 'disturbare', which means 'to throw into disorder or confusion'. Over time, the word evolved to its current usage in English, referring to being troubled or interrupted in a normal function.

See also: disturb, disturbance, disturber, disturbing, disturbingly, undisturbed.

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.