unsettled

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈse-tᵊld 

: not settled: such as

a(1)

: not calm or tranquil : disturbed

unsettled political conditions

(2)

: likely to vary widely especially in the near future : variable

unsettled weather

(3)

: not settled down

unsettled dust

b(1)

: not decided or determined : doubtful

an unsettled state of mind

(2)

: not resolved or worked out : undecided

an unsettled question

c

: characterized by irregularity

an unsettled life

d

: not inhabited or populated

unsettled land

e

: not mentally sound

f(1)

: not disposed of according to law

an unsettled estate

(2)

: not paid or discharged

unsettled debts

unsettledness

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl(d)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of unsettled

• volatile
• unpredictable
• unstable
• changeful

Examples of unsettled in a Sentence

We have some unsettled business to attend to.

we've been having a lot of unsettled weather lately

Recent Examples on the Web

The forecast could trend a bit more unsettled late Sunday into early next week. —Cutter Martin, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

The vessel was released a few days later, but the incident forms part of a broader campaign by Tehran to assert control over maritime activity near its shores—a pattern that has raised tensions in the Gulf and unsettled shipping operators and foreign governments alike. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025

Taken together, the relatively late entrance of two additional candidates underscores just how unsettled the race remains as the primary nears. —Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025

As Joe mentioned above, this category is so unsettled, and so rife with internal competition, that Grande feels like the front-runner almost by default. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsettled

• resettled
• metalled
• nettled
• settled

Kids Definition

unsettled

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈset-ᵊld 

ˈən-

1

: not settled : not fixed (as in position or nature)

unsettled weather

2

: not calm : disturbed

unsettled waters

3

: not decided in mind : undetermined

unsettled about what to do

4

: not paid

an unsettled account

5

: not lived in by settlers

an unsettled region