unsettling

adjective

un·​set·​tling

ˌən-ˈset-liŋ,

-ˈse-tᵊl-iŋ 

: having the effect of upsetting, disturbing, or discomposing

unsettling images of the war

unsettlingly

ˌən-ˈset-liŋ-lē

-ˈse-tᵊl-iŋ- 

adverb

Synonyms

• discomforting
• discomposing
• disquieting
• distressing
• disturbing
• nagging
• nasty
• perturbing
• troublesome
• troubling
• troublous
• upsetting
• worrisome

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

The other shoe dropped with an unsettling thud recently when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt openly gay-bashed in defense of her controversial boss. —Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025

Some messages were sweet, others were steamy, and some were even unsettling. —Cathy Hackl, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports this morning on new exclusive polling figures showing Trump’s frequent clashes with federal courts are unsettling to likely voters in Senate battleground states. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 20 June 2025

So, what’s the deal with this unsettling, not-from-the-book ending? —Andy Swift, TVLine, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsettling

• settling
• resettling