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

While many conservatives welcome Takaichi’s rise, her views have also unsettled some centrist party members. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025

Ackman has criticized Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor whose surprise victory in the primary has unsettled Wall Street. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025

Even after trading away veteran starting quarterback Joe Flacco, the Cleveland Browns' QB room remains largely unsettled. —Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Sirianni tried to downplay questions about the position even when the season approached and the depth chart was unsettled. —Zach Berman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 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