ˌən-ˈset-liŋ
1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
unsettling new developments in the effort to bring peace and stability to that region
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
had the unsettling task of picking out a coffin and making the other funeral arrangements for his father
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsettling
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Franco's unsettling new TikTok account only follows two others — the page for a new film, and the director of that film.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
The ability of a single image to evoke feelings of hope and acceptance in some viewers while unsettling others is a fascinating reality of our culture and one Opie is unbothered by.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
Terms such as ‘elevated,’ 'high risk,’ 'abnormal,’ or ‘critical’ can be unsettling when presented without context.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Franco's unsettling new TikTok account only follows two others — the page for a new film, and the director of that film.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Verb
Eisenberg’s compositional intelligence has a near-merciless quality, zeroing in on feelings of calm and unsettling them.
—Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
The ability of a single image to evoke feelings of hope and acceptance in some viewers while unsettling others is a fascinating reality of our culture and one Opie is unbothered by.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
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There’s another, more disturbing chapter in the book about Jack Webb, the star of Dragnet.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2026
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Chestnut said the most disturbing part is that scammers were trying to take advantage of families in a vulnerable moment.—
Tori Mason,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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These memories of his brief, sad human life are uneasy dreams that Lestat wakes from on his tour bus as the sun sets over the road to Toledo.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
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On top of the tense, uneasy dynamic created by the duo’s pairing, the series is wrapped in a twisty web of peripheral problems.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
Verb
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But the attack ads and political endorsements generally associated with running for other offices have started showing up in judicial races, alarming some judges and raising questions about whether candidates who engage in such activity have the right temperament for the job.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
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The 2023 property tax valuation cycle — and to a lesser extent, the 2024 and 2025 cycles — have been the subject of widespread outrage in Jackson County, with skyrocketing property values alarming homeowners and business owners alike.—
Ilana Arougheti
June 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Questions of value are difficult to answer with the VLE for a few reasons, the most troubling being that Mercedes-Benz hasn’t committed to a price for the thing yet.—
Tim Stevens,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
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Other Republicans are more skeptical, a troubling sign for a president who prides himself on his business acumen.—
Linley Sanders,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Total Football’s nearly moment It has largely been forgotten now, but the superb Total Football-playing Dutch team from the 1974 World Cup almost didn’t qualify for the competition — only pipping neighbours Belgium on goal difference following a tense 0-0 draw between the sides.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
20 June 2026
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At a time when the United States has tense relationships with many of its overseas allies, international tourists' appreciation of American culture offers a counterpoint to the animosity between politicians.—
Ava Berger,
NPR,
19 June 2026
Verb
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In addition, intense, exciting soccer matches can be distracting and lead to overlooking subtle signs of dehydration.—
Lisa Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Finally, toolbars are becoming more consistent, and the distracting icons in drop-down menus are quietly disappearing.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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What began as a quiet evening quickly turned frightening after the couple climbed onto the jetty rocks to look for shells and crabs.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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By the time of The Social Reckoning, a website that was once used to rate the attractiveness of women has gone on to disrupt global politics on a frightening scale.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Nayyar played the socially anxious Raj Koothrappali, particle astrophysicist and BFF to Leonard.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
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By our nature, we journalists are anxious to report fresh news, including the outcomes of elections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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