 perturb |
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| 1. | [ verb ] disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed | |
| Synonyms: | trouble disquiet cark distract disorder unhinge | |
| Examples: | "She was rather perturbed by the news that her father was seriously ill" |
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| Related terms: | disturb worry disturbance distraction anxiousness disquiet | |
| 2. | [ verb ] disturb or interfere with the usual path of an electron or atom | |
| Examples: | "The electrons were perturbed by the passing ion" |
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| Related terms: | deviate | |
| 3. | [ verb ] cause a celestial body to deviate from a theoretically regular orbital motion, esp. as a result of interposed or extraordinary gravitational pull | |
| Examples: | "The orbits of these stars were perturbed by the passings of a comet" |
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| Related terms: | deviate perturbation | |
| 4. | [ verb ] throw into great confusion or disorder | |
| Synonyms: | throw_out_of_kilter derange | |
| Examples: | "Fundamental Islamicists threaten to perturb the social order in Algeria and Egypt" |
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| Related terms: | disorder upset | |
| Similar spelling: |
perturbed perturbing pear_tree perdurable |
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