unsettled

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈse-tᵊld 

: not settled: such as

a(1)

: not calm or tranquil : disturbed

unsettled political conditions

(2)

: likely to vary widely especially in the near future : variable

unsettled weather

(3)

: not settled down

unsettled dust

b(1)

: not decided or determined : doubtful

an unsettled state of mind

(2)

: not resolved or worked out : undecided

an unsettled question

c

: characterized by irregularity

an unsettled life

d

: not inhabited or populated

unsettled land

e

: not mentally sound

f(1)

: not disposed of according to law

an unsettled estate

(2)

: not paid or discharged

unsettled debts

unsettledness

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl(d)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of unsettled

• volatile
• unpredictable
• unstable
• changeful

Examples of unsettled in a Sentence

We have some unsettled business to attend to.

we've been having a lot of unsettled weather lately

Recent Examples on the Web

With roughly 1,390 ballots still outstanding, the race remained unsettled, though Ortiz would need to win more than three-quarters of the remaining ballots to overtake him in a contest that has remained neck-and-neck. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

And while data about discontinuation and long-term use is somewhat unsettled, researchers are uniform in their view that longer treatment duration yields better outcomes. —Lev Facher, STAT, 10 June 2026

On the technical side, the film’s a marvel — the editing tight and crisp yet never unnecessarily flashy, the special effects well done but not overdone, and the cinematography from Spielberg reg Janusz Kaminski playing to the unsettled times in which they are set. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

The unease comes at a moment when the future of work remains unsettled. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsettled

• resettled
• metalled
• nettled
• settled

Kids Definition

unsettled

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈset-ᵊld 

ˈən-

1

: not settled : not fixed (as in position or nature)

unsettled weather

2

: not calm : disturbed

unsettled waters

3

: not decided in mind : undetermined

unsettled about what to do

4

: not paid

an unsettled account

5

: not lived in by settlers

an unsettled region