disturbing

adjective

dis·​turb·​ing di-ˈstər-biŋ How to pronounce disturbing (audio)
: 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 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some readers may find the content of the video disturbing. Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2025 Its characters also express racist, sexist, homophobic, and just plain disturbing sentiments. Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025 In the disturbing footage, Raja was seen entering the ring and picking up Smith above his head before slamming him hard on the mat. Natasha Dye, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The disturbing attack shocked the neighborhood, where residents say unleashed dogs have become a serious safety concern. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disturbing

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disturbing was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturbing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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