unsettle

verb un·set·tle \ ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl \

|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Examples: unsettle in a Sentence

Definition of unsettle

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

See unsettle defined for English-language learners

See unsettle defined for kids

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 of unsettle from the Web

Virtually no one, of course, expected much support from Brockhouse, who once worked as a consultant for the fire union and is widely expected to challenge Nirenberg in May. Others are unsettled on the issue for less obvious reasons.

— brian chasnoff, San Antonio Express-News, "Mayor trying to rope in council to oppose amendments," 28 June 2018
While lower courts have issued conflicting rulings, the Supreme Court hasn’t weighed in to clarify since the 1980s, leaving the issue unsettled until the court decides to intervene again.

— kavitha surana, Philly.com, "How immigration officers can get away with racial profiling," 8 June 2018
Last season's 6-10 record might be (partially) dismissed to the starting quarterback missing the season injured, but what has happened since is unsettling in a way less excusable.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "On a philosophical search to find the Miami Dolphins' grand plan, or see if there is one," 7 June 2018
Still, in the wake of the Parkland massacre, there’s something graphically unsettling about the image of a politician pointing a shotgun at a teenager.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate Points Gun at Teen in New Ad," 2 May 2018
What viewers like me want is an ordinary house rendered unsettling through sound design and dissonant music.

— peter opaskar, Ars Technica, "Hereditary is catnip for fans of slow-burn horror movies," 9 June 2018
While the national basketball picture is unsettled, Thomas is quite pleased with what has happened with the Vikings.

— elton alexander, cleveland.com, "Cleveland State AD Mike Thomas settles in after first year on job," 13 Apr. 2018
McClaren, who was Alex Ferguson's assistant when Manchester United won the treble in 1999, said the Sanchez signing would be a major coup for the club but warned his earnings could unsettle other players.

— afp, chicagotribune.com, "Reports: Sanchez, Mkhitaryan to have medicals ahead of swap transfer," 21 Jan. 2018
Some experts say major thorny issues are still unsettled between the two countries, and that is why a senior official like Kim Yong Chol has traveled to the United States to narrow the gap.

— Washington Post, "3 sets of talks aimed at salvaging summit between Trump, Kim," 30 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unsettle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.