unsettling
adjective
un·set·tling
ˌən-ˈset-liŋ,
-ˈse-tᵊl-iŋ
: having the effect of upsetting, disturbing, or discomposing
unsettling images of the war
Examples of unsettling in a Sentence
unsettling new developments in the effort to bring peace and stability to that region
had the unsettling task of picking out a coffin and making the other funeral arrangements for his father
Recent Examples on the Web
What Lawrence does here is generous, unsettling, occasionally even funny.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
An unsettling, but familiar, domestic issue surfaces again as Mercury and Uranus clash.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
His turn as an aging quarterback clinging to legend status is raw, unsettling, and painfully honest.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Dec. 2025
These meetings by now have a familiar and unsettling cadence.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
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.
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
An unsettling, but familiar, domestic issue surfaces again as Mercury and Uranus clash.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
His turn as an aging quarterback clinging to legend status is raw, unsettling, and painfully honest.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Dec. 2025
These meetings by now have a familiar and unsettling cadence.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsettling. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share