IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
disruptive
adjective/dɪsˈrʌptɪv/Band 8
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“disruptive” is a Band 8 adjective that means causing radical change to an existing industry or market. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
Causing radical change to an existing industry or market.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “Streaming was a disruptive technology for the music industry.”
- “Start-ups often thrive on disruptive ideas.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
groundbreakingrevolutionarytransformative
Antonyms
conventionalincremental
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
disruptive technologydisruptive innovation
Common phrases
a disruptive force
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “disruptive” mean?
Causing radical change to an existing industry or market.
How do you use “disruptive” in a sentence?
For example: “Streaming was a disruptive technology for the music industry.”
What are some synonyms for “disruptive”?
Synonyms include groundbreaking, revolutionary, transformative.
Is “disruptive” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 8 vocabulary, and collocations such as disruptive technology, disruptive innovation help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.
Next step
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