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View synonyms for perturb

perturb

[ per-turb ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to disturb or disquiet greatly in mind; agitate:

    I can see how such a massive change in your routine would perturb you.

    Synonyms: worry, trouble

    Antonyms: pacify

  2. to throw into great disorder:

    Huge construction projects can take years to finish, and meanwhile, can greatly perturb the neighborhood.

    Synonyms: muddle, disarrange, confuse

  3. Astronomy. to cause perturbation in the orbit of (a celestial body).


perturb

/ pəˈtɜːb /

verb

  1. to disturb the composure of; trouble
  2. to throw into disorder
  3. physics astronomy to cause (a planet, electron, etc) to undergo a perturbation
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • perˈturbingly, adverb
  • perˈturbing, adjective
  • perˈturbably, adverb
  • perˈturbable, adjective
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Other Words From

  • per·turb·a·ble adjective
  • per·turb·a·bil·i·ty [per-tur-b, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
  • per·tur·ba·tious [pur-ter-, bey, -sh, uh, s], adjective
  • per·tur·ba·tor [pur, -ter-bey-ter], per·turb·er noun
  • per·turb·ing·ly adverb
  • per·turb·ment noun
  • non·per·turb·a·ble adjective
  • non·per·turb·ing adjective
  • un·per·turb·a·ble adjective
  • un·per·turb·ing adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of perturb1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English perturben (from Old French perturber ), from Latin perturbāre “to throw into confusion,” from per- per- + turbāre “to agitate, confuse” ( turbid )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of perturb1

C14: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbāre to confuse, from per- (intensive) + turbāre to agitate, from turba confusion
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Example Sentences

The gravity of these migrating planets may also have perturbed the paths of the other planets or even pushed them into unstable orbits.

The only real wild card at this point is what may happen if the nascent storm system’s central vortex becomes perturbed by the terrain of Cuba during its formative stages.

What Massimini looks for in this perturbed EEG is a special kind of complexity that is organized, but not too organized.

The power of quantum computers comes from their ability to manipulate exotic quantum states, but these states are very fragile and easily perturbed by sources of noise, like heat or electromagnetic fields.

Okja perturbs and provokes, inspecting the dark realities of the meat industry and the depths of corporate greed as it centers the perspective of bright-eyed, pure-hearted Mija.

From Time

I was nettled now at all these things which were coming to puzzle and perturb an honest fellow out for a morning ride.

A more pronounced cause than vague surmise was destined to perturb him, and this in an unexpected manner.

What was to happen would happen; to perturb and perplex oneself was useless and might be dangerous.

Captain Thornes sarcasm seemed to perturb the youngster, but his good breeding got the better of his annoyance.

The existence of such facts does not perturb in the least those theorists who “rule the roost” in the scientific world.

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pertinentperturbate