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

• 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

There’s something disturbing about these proscriptions, which is why both Kalmey and Miola identify them as critical. —JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025

After combining the two, Barr gives the mask eyes similar to Labubu's and the doll's iconic teeth, creating a truly disturbing look. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025

Vivian is the tasked with surviving the gaze of the Spotlight, solving puzzles, finding Amy, and uncovering the disturbing truth behind a decades-old tragedy. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025

This lockdown is insane & disturbing with what happened during our investigation. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disturbing

• perturbing
• curbing