English · Work & Business
disruptive
/dɪsˈrʌp.tɪv/
[/dɪsˈrʌp.tɪv/]
radically innovative
Advancedadjective
Definition
Describing an innovation that dramatically changes or overturns an existing market or way of working.
Example
Streaming services proved disruptive, forcing traditional broadcasters to rethink their entire model.
Streaming services proved disruptive, forcing traditional broadcasters to rethink their entire model.
Etymology
From Latin 'disrumpere' (to break apart); the business sense follows Clayton Christensen's 1990s theory.
How & Where It’s Used
Popular in startup, technology, and business strategy discourse.