disturbing

1 of 2

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

disturbing

2 of 2

present participle of disturb

Synonyms of disturbing

Adjective

• annoying
• frustrating
• irritating

Examples of disturbing in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

French President Emanuel Macron delivered a briefing to the candidates running to succeed him so disturbing that even the far-right National Rally’s leaders emerged denouncing Russian hybrid attacks. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

The 72-year-old Cuban widow filed for temporary custody shortly after the disturbing incident. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

And the disturbing oscillations are a journey from uncertainty to insight, a train ride from introspection to moral resolution. — Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026

Authorities are investigating a disturbing discovery at San Francisco's Ocean Beach after a dead sea lion washed ashore and was subsequently decapitated. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disturbing

• disturbing the peace

Rhymes for disturbing

• perturbing
• curbing