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

• agitate
• ail
• alarm
• alarum
• bother
• concern
• derail
• discomfort
• discompose
• dismay
• disquiet
• distemper
• distract
• distress
• disturb
• exercise
• flurry
• frazzle
• freak (out)
• fuss
• hagride
• perturb
• undo
• unhinge
• upset
• weird out
• worry

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

In France, the left-wing coalition that triumphed in parliamentary voting this month has endorsed free-spending policies that could unsettle financial markets. —David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 10 July 2024

There may be flaws here, the female figures get short shrift and the Shylock overtones might unsettle, but the staging remains utterly gobsmacking. —Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 31 May 2024

Feelings of rejection can unsettle you while Mars meets Chiron. —USA TODAY, 29 May 2024

In this oppressive setting, Tony’s self-doubts gradually take over, unsettling both his performance and his mental health. —Justin Lowe, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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