ˌən-ˈset-liŋ
1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
unsettling new developments in the effort to bring peace and stability to that region
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
had the unsettling task of picking out a coffin and making the other funeral arrangements for his father
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as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsettling
David Faris, TheWeek, 25 Mar. 2026
Sudden retirements from board members can be unsettling to investors at times, but Cardinal said this decision was not the result of any disagreement with the company on any matter related to its operations, policies, or practices.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
While a complete withdrawal from the GNU may be unlikely, the resurgence of internal debate alone risks unsettling a government whose stability rests, in part, on the DA’s role as a moderating force.
—Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
That space seems to consist of a labyrinthine maze of strange, unsettling and nonsensical rooms underneath a furniture store.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 25 Mar. 2026
Sudden retirements from board members can be unsettling to investors at times, but Cardinal said this decision was not the result of any disagreement with the company on any matter related to its operations, policies, or practices.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Human remains discovered along remote roads in Monterey County over the past month have triggered multiple investigations, unsettling residents and leaving authorities with more questions than answers.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
While a complete withdrawal from the GNU may be unlikely, the resurgence of internal debate alone risks unsettling a government whose stability rests, in part, on the DA’s role as a moderating force.
—Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
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Most disturbing, the largest net loss of IRS filers continues to be among young adults.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
So, yes, Reingold’s story identified some disturbing failures.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That neighbor also raised concerns about security, saying fewer on-site resources and changes in how calls are handled have left some people feeling uneasy.—
Daniel Wilkerson,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
As the war in Iran stretches into a fifth week, investors who had been hopeful for a quick resolution are growing increasingly uneasy about the real-world fallout from the conflict.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Recently, something new appeared on the landscape, alarming wildlife advocates like Christina Aiello.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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His lack of potency was especially troubling since the Kings seemed to get only one line to heat up at a time.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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In short, the experiments paint a troubling picture of the security implications of letting AI models loose on entire operating systems.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His absence comes at a tense moment in his second term.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
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The park department began managing Fair Park in September, scrambling to transition and set up contracts for services like security and events after a tense split from its previous operator.—
Aria Jones,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Not all Mauss’s material lends equally well to visualizations, and there are moments in the special when the animations are more distracting than additive.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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The combination with the neutral dark-blue jean skirt keeps the look still feeling grown-up and not too distracting.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The idea of frightening children into basic courtesy scares Miss Manners.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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Facing the future may mean confronting difficult questions and frightening scenarios.—
Kat McGowan,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel each day, disrupting the lives of millions of anxious and exhausted voters.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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Investors have grown more anxious about inflation, with Treasury yields rising and consumer surveys showing short‑term price expectations drifting upward.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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