Perturb Definition & Meaning
perturb
- verb
- disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed; "She was rather perturbed by the news that her father was seriously ill"
- disturb or interfere with the usual path of an electron or atom; "The electrons were perturbed by the passing ion"
- cause a celestial body to deviate from a theoretically regular orbital motion, especially as a result of interposed or extraordinary gravitational pull; "The orbits of these stars were perturbed by the passings of a comet"
- throw into great confusion or disorder; "Fundamental Islamicists threaten to perturb the social order in Algeria and Egypt"
Words that rhyme with perturb
Usage tips for "perturb"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "perturb" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for perturb to find words that pair well.