A disturbed person is very upset emotionally, and often needs special care or treatment.
...working with severely emotionally disturbed children.
The murderer was apparently mentally disturbed.
2. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE, oft ADJECTIVE that, ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
You can say that someone is disturbed when they are very worried or anxious.
Doctors were disturbed that less than 30 percent of the patients were women.
I was disturbed to hear that the selection committee originally decided not to senda British team to this year's Championships.
Synonyms: worried, concerned, troubled, upset More Synonyms of disturbed
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe a situation or period of time as disturbed, you mean that it is unhappy and full of problems.
...these disturbed times.
...women from disturbed backgrounds.
Synonyms: troubled More Synonyms of disturbed
disturbed in British English
(dɪˈstɜːbd)
adjective
psychiatry
emotionally or psychologically troubled
Examples of 'disturbed' in a sentence
disturbed
EACH year, 30 per cent of us will have a spell of disturbed sleep.
The Sun (2016)
Volunteers had their sleep disturbed eight times during the night.
The Sun (2015)
Nearly three quarters of adults suffer from disturbed sleep.
The Sun (2012)
Police negotiators raced to the scene following reports the disturbed man was wandering the streets with a lighter.
The Sun (2010)
The evidence speaks for itself with regard to compliance with air quality regulations and links between disturbed sleep and ill health.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This can cause weight loss, fatigue and disturbed sleep.
The Sun (2009)
Slightly more challenging was a light supper, to ease my disturbed sleep.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Doctors say that apart from disturbed sleep patterns there is no evidence of long-term damage.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Clearly, they were both very disturbed and unhappy but you have the ability to move beyond that.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Sleep specialists say that disturbed sleep patterns are especially acute at this time of year when dreary grey days merge into night and confuse our body clocks.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I have had this since my early fifties and it has caused me many a disturbed night 's sleep.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He'll interrupt his busy schedule to meet with some disturbed person who insists on talking to'the top doc.
Christianity Today (2000)
The long-standing puzzle of whether fish can sleep has been solved by a study that has shown that they like a lie-in after a disturbed night.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
disturbed
British English: disturbed ADJECTIVE
A disturbed person is very upset emotionally, and often needs special care or treatment.
...working with severely emotionally disturbed children.
sorry to disturb you对(對)不起，打扰(擾)您了 (duìbúqǐ, dǎrǎo nín le)
请勿将 interrupt 与 disturb 混淆。如果你 interrupt 某个正在讲话的人，表示你说或做某事打断他们讲话。 He tried to speak, but she interrupted him. 如果想要跟某个正在讲话或开会的人谈话，正确的表达是 Sorry to interrupt. 如果 interrupt 某个过程或者活动，就意味着使它中断一段时间。 The match took nearly three hours and was interrupted at times by rain. 如果 disturb 某人，就是使他们停止了正在做的事情并且令他们感到不快。 Find a quiet, warm, comfortable room where you won't be disturbed.
1 (adjective)
Definition
emotionally upset, troubled, or maladjusted
I was disturbed to find out that the dog was missing.
Synonyms
worried
I'm not worried about the future.
concerned
I've been very concerned about the situation.
troubled
upset
She was really upset when her best friend moved halfway across the world.
bothered
nervous
I get very nervous when I'm in the house alone at night.
anxious
She admitted she was still anxious about the situation.
uneasy
He looked uneasy and refused to answer questions.
agitated
She seemed agitated about something.
disquieted
apprehensive
People are still terribly apprehensive about the future.