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 voice of Pope Francis has been such a voice—gentle, disarming, and at times, unsettling. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

These experiments busted the urban myth but also pointed to a the truth about how companies like Facebook sometimes serve up such disturbingly accurate advertisements that is much more complex, and unsettling. —New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025

But our knowledge of what’s coming for Cassian, Krennic, Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), and for the Empire and Rebels as a whole, casts an unsettling shadow over everything that happens throughout this final season. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025

Soon the whole world starts to feel dangerous and unsettling. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsettling

• settling
• resettling