What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
distract
Example
The loud music distracted me from my work. [distracted: past tense]
Example
The constant chatter of the audience distracted the performer. [distracted: verb]
disrupt
Example
The power outage disrupted the meeting. [disrupted: past tense]
Example
The construction noise disrupted the class. [disrupted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distract is more commonly used than disrupt in everyday language. Distract is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while disrupt is less common and often used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distract and disrupt?
Disrupt is often associated with a more formal or technical tone, while distract is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.