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

A mild aftershock unsettled several more structures.

2

: to perturb or agitate mentally or emotionally : discompose

Such a sudden change will only unsettle her.

intransitive verb

: to become unsettled

Synonyms of unsettle

• 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

My extremely online brother was far from fooled, but he was unsettled. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2025

The revelation, if true, unsettled the foundation of af Klint’s legacy. —Alice Gregory, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025

Aggie’s blood visibly rises, but Nile keeps his unsettling cool throughout the whole interaction. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025

There was something else unsettling about them. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 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