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

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

Synonyms of disturbing

• annoying
• frustrating
• irritating

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

And so the disturbing part of the dissent in the mail ballot case was that this was about a very narrow issue, whether ballots that are postmarked by Election Day can be counted if they're received in some period after. — Tonya Mosley, NPR, 8 July 2026

The film is a modern take on creature horror movies told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 7 July 2026

Democrats are pressuring Graham Platner to drop out of the race to represent Maine in the Senate amid new and disturbing allegations. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Jesica and Soledad have built a world that feels very real right now, disturbing and emotionally precise. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disturbing

• disturbing the peace

Rhymes for disturbing

• perturbing
• curbing