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
A mild aftershock unsettled several more structures.
2
: to perturb or agitate mentally or emotionally : discompose
Such a sudden change will only unsettle her.
: to become unsettled
Synonyms of unsettle
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
The striker had been unsettled at Palace for some time, with contract negotiations ongoing since before summer 2024 to extend his deal, which had entered its final 18 months.
—
James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The confident welcome had unsettled the visitors.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Back at the school, staff and students were unsettled.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Still, the advent of the star unsettles these familiar pathways.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettle
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James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The confident welcome had unsettled the visitors.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Back at the school, staff and students were unsettled.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Still, the advent of the star unsettles these familiar pathways.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettle
Cite this Entry
“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsettle. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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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