disturbing
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
Bram Stoker
disturbingly
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
Jonathan Raban
Examples of disturbing in a Sentence
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
These disturbing images raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
About a week later, a disturbing video of Francis went viral on social media.
—Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
That same weekend, more damaging and disturbing news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appeared in the latest batch of Epstein files.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
This story contains graphic details that some readers might find disturbing.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
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Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
About a week later, a disturbing video of Francis went viral on social media.
—Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
That same weekend, more damaging and disturbing news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appeared in the latest batch of Epstein files.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
This story contains graphic details that some readers might find disturbing.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturbing. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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