disruptor

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disruptor" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone or something that causes disruption or change, particularly in an industry or market. For example: "The new start-up has been a major disruptor in the digital media industry, shaking up the way companies operate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But for an airline that liked to tout its image as a plucky disruptor, such a fate would hold a certain ignominy.

The Economist

CNBC, a cable-news channel, produces an annual "disruptor list" of the most disruptive companies.

The Economist

Whether or not this proves to be the case, it will force Aereo to rethink its novel business model.Dig deeper:Our media editor on the Aereo decision: the disruptor has been disruptedWe consider the oral arguments for Riley v California.

The Economist

THE disruptor has been disrupted.

The Economist

BPA, which is used widely in food packaging to strengthen plastic, is an endocrine disruptor that interrupts hormones.

Independent

The domestic energy market is facing its biggest shake-up in decades as disruptor companies are making major inroads into the dominance of the Big Six giants.

Independent

In the primary, Honda beat Khanna by twenty points, which the tech-cheerleader press treated as a victory ("Silicon Valley's political disruptor just won a shot at his seat in Congress") and the mainstream business press treated as a defeat ("Silicon Valley's Congressional candidate flubs his beta test").

The New Yorker

Last month, the Endocrine Society, the leading association of hormone experts, scolded the Food and Drug Administration for its failure to ban bisphenol-A, a common endocrine disruptor known as BPA, from food packaging.

The New York Times

"When we come across a compound that is known to be neurotoxic, as well as developmentally toxic and an endocrine disruptor, it would seem prudent to err on the side of caution, demanding that the appropriate scientific testing be done on animals instead of going ahead and putting it into use, in which case the test animals will be the children of the state of California".

The New York Times

Many scientists believe that it is an "endocrine disruptor," a term applied to chemicals that can act like hormones.

The New York Times

First-round rookie J.J. Watt is expected to be an impact player right away at left defensive end, while at right defensive end, energetic veteran Antonio Smith is expected to harken back to his days in Arizona, where he was a disruptor on their three-man line.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "disruptor", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being disrupted and the nature of the disruption. Providing specific examples strengthens the impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "disruptor" simply as a trendy buzzword without substantial evidence of actual disruption. Ensure that the entity or concept you're describing genuinely challenges the status quo and isn't just a minor innovation.

Linguistic Context

The word "disruptor" functions primarily as a noun, referring to someone or something that causes significant disruption or change in a particular field. Ludwig examples demonstrate its application to both people and entities challenging established norms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "disruptor" is a noun that describes an entity that fundamentally alters an industry or established way of doing things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. While often associated with innovation, it can also imply causing instability. Usage ranges from neutral to professional, particularly in business, technology, and news reporting. To effectively use "disruptor", ensure that the context clearly shows what is being disrupted and the impact of that disruption. Avoid using it as a mere buzzword without demonstrating actual, significant change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

game changer

Implies a fundamental shift in the way something is done, often with a positive connotation.

innovator

Focuses on the introduction of new ideas or methods, often leading to disruption.

revolutionary

Suggests a radical and fundamental change, often on a large scale.

agent of change

Highlights the role of a person or entity in initiating and driving change.

radical reformer

Emphasizes a strong desire to change a particular system for the better.

market shaker

Focuses on the impact on a particular market, shaking up the status quo.

troublemaker

While having a negative connotation, can refer to someone who disrupts a system.

rule breaker

Someone who defies established conventions or regulations, often to achieve change.

paradigm shifter

Implies a change in the fundamental concepts and practices of a scientific discipline.

groundbreaker

Highlights the pioneering nature of the change agent.

FAQs

How can I use "disruptor" in a sentence?

You can use "disruptor" to describe something that drastically changes an industry or market. For example: "The new technology company became a major "disruptor" in the healthcare sector."

What are some alternatives to the word "disruptor"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "game changer", "innovator", or "revolutionary".

Is it always positive to be a "disruptor"?

Not necessarily. While "disruptor" often implies innovation and progress, it can also suggest causing instability or problems for existing systems or businesses.

What's the difference between a "disruptor" and an innovator?

While both bring about change, a "disruptor" typically creates more radical and destabilizing changes compared to an "innovator", who may focus on more incremental improvements.