disruptive technology
/dɪsˈrʌptɪv tɛkˈnɒlədʒi/
Meaning
An innovation that significantly alters the way consumers, industries, or businesses operate, often sweeping away established competitors and creating entirely new markets. It has a formal, analytical tone, frequently used in business, economics, and technology analyses.
Examples
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Digital photography was a disruptive technology that completely drove the film industry out of business.
Digital photography was a disruptive technology that completely drove the film industry out of business.
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Many economists view generative AI as the most significant disruptive technology of this decade.
Many economists view generative AI as the most significant disruptive technology of this decade.
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Startups often succeed by introducing a disruptive technology that larger corporations ignore at first.
Startups often succeed by introducing a disruptive technology that larger corporations ignore at first.
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To survive in the modern market, traditional firms must learn to adapt to disruptive technology.
To survive in the modern market, traditional firms must learn to adapt to disruptive technology.
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The smartphone is a classic example of a disruptive technology that redefined multiple industries at once.
The smartphone is a classic example of a disruptive technology that redefined multiple industries at once.
Common Mistakes
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✗ This software is very disrupted technology for the banking sector.
✓ This software is a very disruptive technology for the banking sector.
Use the active adjective 'disruptive' (causing change) rather than the past participle 'disrupted' (which has been changed or broken).
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✗ The company made a disruptive technology innovation last year.
✓ The company introduced a disruptive technology last year.
'Disruptive technology' already functions as a complete noun phrase; adding 'innovation' after it is redundant.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Electric vehicles are a highly ___ that is reshaping the automotive manufacturing industry.
💡 An innovation that completely displaces an established market
Show answer
disruptive technology
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The rise of online streaming was a ___ that led to the bankruptcy of video rental stores.
💡 Industry-altering innovation
Show answer
disruptive technology