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Meaning & use

disturbed person

phrase·Advanceddisapprovingoffensive

Last updated

UK/dɪˈstɜːbd ˌpɜːsn/
US/dɪˈstɜːrbd ˌpɜːrsn/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving and offensive. It can hurt or insult people. Learn to recognise it, but avoid using it about anyone.

Meanings

  1. phrasecountableoffensivedisapproving

    A person who is mentally ill or emotionally troubled, especially in a way that affects their behavior.

    Grammar: Countable phrase: say 'a disturbed person' or 'disturbed people'.

    Patterns

    • a disturbed person
    • disturbed people

    The article described him as a disturbed person, which many readers found insensitive.

    She worked with disturbed people and always used respectful language.

    Calling someone a disturbed person can be hurtful and is not a medical term.

  2. phrasecountable

    A person who is very upset or emotionally shaken by an event.

    Grammar: Countable; often used after a shocking event.

    Patterns

    • a deeply disturbed person
    • a disturbed person after the event

    After the accident, he was a deeply disturbed person for months.

    The counselor spoke gently to the disturbed person in the waiting room.

Word forms

pluraldisturbed people

Common combinations

deeply disturbed person
The witness was a deeply disturbed person after the tragedy.
seriously disturbed person
He was described as a seriously disturbed person in the report.
emotionally disturbed person
The school has programs for emotionally disturbed people.
a disturbed person in the community
Some neighbors worried about a disturbed person in the community.

Synonyms and how they differ

mentally ill person
Mentally ill person is more clinical and less judgmental, though still can be stigmatizing if used carelessly.
troubled person
Troubled person is softer and can refer to emotional difficulties without implying mental illness.

Opposites

stable personwell-adjusted person

Word family

disturb verb
To interrupt or upset someone.
disturbing adjective
Causing worry or upset.
disturbance noun
A disruption or a mental health crisis.

Commonly confused: disturbed person or disturbed?

disturbed person vs disturbed

Disturbed is an adjective meaning upset or mentally ill; 'disturbed person' is a phrase that uses it to describe someone.

Practice

Which sentence uses 'disturbed person' in a respectful, non-offensive way?

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