unsettling
adjective
un·set·tling
ˌən-ˈset-liŋ,
-ˈse-tᵊl-iŋ
: having the effect of upsetting, disturbing, or discomposing
unsettling images of the war
Examples of unsettling in a Sentence
unsettling new developments in the effort to bring peace and stability to that region
had the unsettling task of picking out a coffin and making the other funeral arrangements for his father
Recent Examples on the Web
If the devoted nun resembles the raving patient, does that not justify locking them away, protecting ourselves from their unsettling power?
—
Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
One of the many unsettling images to emerge from the recent ICE surge in Minneapolis was that of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, in his blue bunny hat, standing in the January cold with the hand of a federal officer gripping his Spider-Man backpack.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
At a minimum, aggressive data collection combined with location, app usage and search history can make these moments feel unsettling.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
The crackdown has been unsettling to hospital employees, who said ICE agents have been seen loitering on hospital grounds and asking patients and employees for proof of citizenship.
—CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
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Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
One of the many unsettling images to emerge from the recent ICE surge in Minneapolis was that of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, in his blue bunny hat, standing in the January cold with the hand of a federal officer gripping his Spider-Man backpack.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
At a minimum, aggressive data collection combined with location, app usage and search history can make these moments feel unsettling.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
The crackdown has been unsettling to hospital employees, who said ICE agents have been seen loitering on hospital grounds and asking patients and employees for proof of citizenship.
—CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsettling. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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