unsettle

verb

un·​set·​tle ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl 

unsettled; unsettling; unsettles

transitive verb

1

: to loosen or move from a settled state or condition : make unstable : disorder

A mild aftershock unsettled several more structures.

2

: to perturb or agitate mentally or emotionally : discompose

Such a sudden change will only unsettle her.

intransitive verb

: to become unsettled

Synonyms of unsettle

• disturb
• distract
• bother
• alarm
• worry
• concern
• agitate

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

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ever-deepening defense alliance with China, India’s principal strategic competitor, has unsettled New Delhi, particularly given that Islamabad deployed Chinese weapons against Indian forces for the first time during the 2025 conflict. — Michael Kugelman, Time, 26 June 2026

One concern is parents of autistic children, who often have gastrointestinal issues, though the science linking those issues to autism is unsettled. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026

Warner offers little comfort to executives unsettled by last week’s events. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 June 2026

His successor will be the country's seventh leader in that period, underscoring how political and economic turmoil continue to unsettle British politics long after the Brexit process was concluded. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for unsettle

• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• metal
• mettle
• nettle
• petal
• setal
• settle
• acetyl
• bimetal
• gunmetal

Kids 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