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

Writer-director Ian Tuason makes his feature directing debut with this disturbing story of Evy (Nina Kiri), who cohosts a paranormal investigation podcast while caring for her terminally ill mother. —David Faris, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026

Rochon displayed the disturbing photo to illustrate the barriers once faced by Black students who were pursuing higher education. —Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026

The researchers had some disturbing findings after crunching the data. —Korin Miller, SELF, 10 Mar. 2026

That day, just before sunset, the surveillance camera at his family's home captured a disturbing sight. —Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disturbing

• disturbing the peace

Rhymes for disturbing

• perturbing
• curbing