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
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
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
Tricking someone who is trying to be helpful and essentially turning a helpful gesture into a punchline adds another disturbing layer to this challenge, according to Anne Josephson, PsyD, MSEd.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 3 Dec. 2025
These Mike reveals are the most genuinely disturbing parts of the episode; there’s very little humor in Lynette’s story, just real fear and real pain.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Besides, twenty-year-olds are basically a different species, which is why publications like Barely Legal are so disturbing.
—Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2025
As a result, Robinson’s work can be intense and disturbing to watch.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
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.
Melissa Willets, Parents, 3 Dec. 2025
These Mike reveals are the most genuinely disturbing parts of the episode; there’s very little humor in Lynette’s story, just real fear and real pain.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Besides, twenty-year-olds are basically a different species, which is why publications like Barely Legal are so disturbing.
—Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2025
As a result, Robinson’s work can be intense and disturbing to watch.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturbing. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share