unsettle

verb

un·​set·​tle ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl 

unsettled; unsettling; unsettles

transitive verb

1

: to loosen or move from a settled state or condition : make unstable : disorder

2

: to perturb or agitate mentally or emotionally : discompose

intransitive verb

: to become unsettled

Synonyms

• disturb
• distract
• bother
• alarm
• worry
• concern
• agitate

Examples of unsettle in a Sentence

Such a sudden change will unsettle her.

the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers

Recent Examples on the Web

Many canines, especially those who have been the sole focus of attention for years, can feel unsettled by the sudden change in household routines and sounds. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025

The 1991–93 civil war in Georgia unsettled that country’s political life and granted Moscow opportunities for influence; in 2008, Russia invaded and defeated Georgia in a brief war and recognized the separatist enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. —Daniel S. Hamilton, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025

The Eagles are unsettled at wide receiver after A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson (who did not play Saturday). —Zach Berman, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025

Immediately, he’s unsettled by the host, Joy Behar. —Laura Holliday, Wired News, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for unsettle

• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• metal
• mettle
• nettle
• petal
• setal
• settle
• diacetyl
• gunmetal
• nonmetal

Kids Definition

unsettle

verb

un·​set·​tle ˌən-ˈset-ᵊl 

ˈən-

1

: to move or loosen from a settled state

2

: to make uneasy

change unsettles him