disturbing

1 of 2

adjective

dis·​turb·​ing di-ˈstər-biŋ 

: causing feelings of worry, concern, or anxiety

disturbing news

a disturbing discovery

The next phase in which I had a part was even more disturbing, and infinitely more painful.

—Bram Stoker

disturbingly

di-ˈstər-biŋ-lē 

adverb

disturbingly high levels of pollution

a disturbingly familiar problem

… the texture of ordinary life and talk has taken on a disturbingly ambiguous quality …

—Jonathan Raban

disturbing

2 of 2

present participle of disturb

Synonyms of disturbing

Adjective

• annoying
• frustrating
• irritating

Examples of disturbing in a Sentence

Adjective

a disturbing visit by the next-door neighbor while I was trying to study

there was a disturbing silence as I struggled to remember her name

a disturbing trend in the nation's energy consumption

a disturbing pause in the normally smooth operation of the machinery

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Even at their most disturbing, scenes describing carnage tend to be colorful and amusing. — Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

But Lindberg said one of the most disturbing consequences of these conflicts is the rising death toll among humanitarian workers with hundreds killed worldwide in recent years. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

This is a strange, twisty book which, with its layers of narration and disturbing coda, feels almost impossible to translate to the screen—but this adaptation comes close, at least in echoing its wild, unruly spirit. — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

The five-minute project, which was sponsored by Microsoft, stars Jon Lee Richardson as Floyd, a young man whose nap is interrupted by some very disturbing phone calls that quickly change the course of his day. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disturbing

• disturbing the peace

Rhymes for disturbing

• perturbing
• curbing