perturb
(verb)
verb
1. 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
Similar word(s): cark, disorder, disquiet, distract, trouble, unhinge
Definition categories: emotion, disturb, trouble, upset
2. disturb or interfere with the usual path of an electron or atom
- The electrons were perturbed by the passing ion
Definition categories: motion, deviate
3. 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
Definition categories: motion, deviate
4. throw into great confusion or disorder
- Fundamentalists threaten to perturb the social order
Similar word(s): derange