unsettle
verb
un·set·tle
ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl 
unsettled; unsettling; unsettles
1
: to loosen or move from a settled state or condition : make unstable : disorder
2
: to perturb or agitate mentally or emotionally : discompose
: to become unsettled
Synonyms
Examples of unsettle in a Sentence
Such a sudden change will unsettle her.
the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers
Recent Examples on the Web
Ruling on transgender student participation in sports remains unsettled
The Biden administration did not rule on whether transgender and nonbinary students can participate on the sports teams that align with their gender.
—
Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
The Gael senior deked one more time to unsettle BYU’s already shaky defense, and then finally popped a quick pass to Mario’s older brother Erich on his left, who motored into the try zone for another Saint Mary’s five-pointer.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Bracken successfully straddles the prickly tonal line between unsettling seriousness and flippant sarcasm as the resolute Darcy harnesses her connection to the dead to elucidate the truth about what happened to her beloved Dani.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
President Biden has made note of how unsettling this may feel to many people.
—Francesca Paris, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Art tries to conceal his longing with a false confidence while Patrick revels in his ability to unsettle his former friend.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
But the staggering casualty figures and scenes of devastation across Gaza have unsettled even Israel’s most ardent supporters, including the United States.
—Joshua Berlinger, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
In the entrancing but unsettling paradise of the villa—with its marble floors and grand staircases, shoddy electricity, and plentiful vats of wine—one of her father’s middle-aged friends began trying to seduce her.
—Leslie Jamison, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Read the full Leo Daily Horoscope Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Expressing your deepest emotions can unsettle a close relationship today.
—USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
The Gael senior deked one more time to unsettle BYU’s already shaky defense, and then finally popped a quick pass to Mario’s older brother Erich on his left, who motored into the try zone for another Saint Mary’s five-pointer.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Bracken successfully straddles the prickly tonal line between unsettling seriousness and flippant sarcasm as the resolute Darcy harnesses her connection to the dead to elucidate the truth about what happened to her beloved Dani.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
President Biden has made note of how unsettling this may feel to many people.
—Francesca Paris, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Art tries to conceal his longing with a false confidence while Patrick revels in his ability to unsettle his former friend.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
But the staggering casualty figures and scenes of devastation across Gaza have unsettled even Israel’s most ardent supporters, including the United States.
—Joshua Berlinger, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
In the entrancing but unsettling paradise of the villa—with its marble floors and grand staircases, shoddy electricity, and plentiful vats of wine—one of her father’s middle-aged friends began trying to seduce her.
—Leslie Jamison, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Read the full Leo Daily Horoscope Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Expressing your deepest emotions can unsettle a close relationship today.
—USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsettle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unsettle
Cite this Entry
“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsettle. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unsettle
verb
un·set·tle
ˌən-ˈset-ᵊl
ˈən-
1
: to move or loosen from a settled state
2
: to make uneasy
change unsettles him
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