disquiet 1 of 2

1
2

disquiet

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disquiet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate, discompose, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

In what contexts can agitate take the place of disquiet?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When might discompose be a better fit than disquiet?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When is disturb a more appropriate choice than disquiet?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to disquiet?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disquiet?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When can upset be used instead of disquiet?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disquiet
Noun
But Fan’s background – provincial, not well off or highly educated – may be contributing to official disquiet over her popularity, adding an extra layer of scrutiny. Chris Lau, CNN Money, 27 July 2025 The opprobrium was far from just domestic, with leaders across Europe voicing their disquiet and urging Zelenskyy to rethink. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 July 2025
Verb
Vessel’s lyrics seem disquieted by the attention, though. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025 One of Biden’s challenges is that some of the Black men who are paying close attention in Macon are deeply disquieted by the influx of migrants at the U.S.’s southern border and the amount of money that his administration has committed to stopping Russia’s war in Ukraine. Maeve Reston, Washington Post, 30 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • Even with the constant turmoil on special teams, the offense routinely made it into Patriots territory.
    Mike Kaye September 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Callie, the hottest person at Seattle Grace, went through so much turmoil and humiliation in her relationships prior to that, including, but not limited to, being cheated on by her husband and being dumped by a newly out lesbian who couldn’t handle her being bisexual.
    James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Powell said a sharp cooldown of hiring over the summer had shifted the balance of risks toward greater concern over the labor market rather than inflation.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Made in Africa is a monthly column by Rolling Stone staff writer Mankaprr Conteh that celebrates and interrogates the lives, concerns, and innovations of cultural workers of the African diaspora from their vantage point.
    Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The threats coming from Vance and a top Trump official alarmed many of the country’s major philanthropies.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The potential illegality of the strikes should alarm Americans.
    Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kenyan security forces were deployed to Haiti in waves over the course of 2024 and 2025 to help the Caribbean nation as it was destabilized by gang violence and civil unrest.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
  • There has been more unrest latelt, including the shooting into the offices of Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV (ABC10) on Friday.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For its part, the stock market has defied financial fears during recent government shutdowns.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • For Jones, that means confronting her childhood fear of clowns.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some furniture executives worry about rising prices and the lack of domestic manufacturing capacity.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • And while some worry that changing the exclusion could flood the market, Moody’s analysis finds that even a 25% spike in listings would only restore sales to normal, pre-crisis levels.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Though when that context is Newcastle’s longer-term top-flight form, then a general feeling of unease is becoming justified.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Despite a growing sense of unease, museum leaders across the country have largely remained silent.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But for Apryl Shackelford, those anxieties have been replaced with opportunity.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Even your own anxiety may play a part.
    George Petras, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disquiet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!