unsettle
verb
un·set·tle
ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl 
unsettled; unsettling; unsettles
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.
: to become unsettled
Synonyms of unsettle
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
Mythos and Fable won't be the last models to unsettle a government.
—
Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
One concern is parents of autistic children, who often have gastrointestinal issues, though the science linking those issues to autism is unsettled.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
Any amount of opposition analysis would highlight that trait as something to be wary of and negate, but Summerville has the balance and footwork to beat a player one-on-one regardless, using his strengths to unsettle one side of a defence.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Some travelers were unsettled by a Ukrainian drone attack earlier this week on a passenger train traveling from Moscow to Crimea, injuring its driver and killing his assistant.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettle
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Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
One concern is parents of autistic children, who often have gastrointestinal issues, though the science linking those issues to autism is unsettled.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
Any amount of opposition analysis would highlight that trait as something to be wary of and negate, but Summerville has the balance and footwork to beat a player one-on-one regardless, using his strengths to unsettle one side of a defence.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Some travelers were unsettled by a Ukrainian drone attack earlier this week on a passenger train traveling from Moscow to Crimea, injuring its driver and killing his assistant.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettle
Cite this Entry
“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsettle. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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