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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The incursion of a significant number of Russian drones into Poland is a dramatic and unsettling escalation of the war in Ukraine.
—Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
From people discovered after swarms of flies are spotted inside a home to heartbreaking stories of pets found waiting with deceased owners, while unsettling, Snyder said that such occurrences are not as rare as many might believe.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
But with Coleman's unsettling prophesy, the mood changes, and complications begin to creep in.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The incursion of a significant number of Russian drones into Poland is a dramatic and unsettling escalation of the war in Ukraine.
—Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
One of my clients, a senior executive in a major technology company, shared how the organization's shifting priorities were unsettling the team.
—Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
From people discovered after swarms of flies are spotted inside a home to heartbreaking stories of pets found waiting with deceased owners, while unsettling, Snyder said that such occurrences are not as rare as many might believe.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
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Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to reduce your chances of being confronted with violent or disturbing videos.—
Annie Margaret,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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Celebrating the assassination of a 31 year old father of two young kids is disturbing; that teachers would be among those who do so is completely unacceptable.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Handing spending power to a piece of software makes people uneasy.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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An uneasy calm, after two nights of chaos that saw tens of thousands of people pour out into the streets to vent their fury, setting fire to parliament and the Supreme Court – key symbols of state – and clashing with the government forces sent to keep them under control.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Sep. 2025
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The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Either way, a wrist injury would help explain the rather troubling start for Thomas, who was profiled to be one of the best wide receivers in all of football coming into the 2025 season.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Regardless of which direction the program goes at Head Coach, or if Iamaleava will stay for his junior season, the fact that UCLA is already looking towards next year in Week 3 is troubling enough.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The exchange grew more tense when Brzezinski raised concerns about ICE vehicles parked outside a Spanish-language Mass in Boston, saying such actions spread fear in immigrant communities.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Sep. 2025
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The arrests also raised alarm in Seoul, further complicating tense US-South Korea relations over investments agreed to in their trade deal, the Financial Times reported.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This combination lends itself to transitions from focus to out of focus and background blur (bokeh) that's smooth and free of distracting elements.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
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In class, Danny continues to be disorderly, challenging Maria’s authority, throwing stuff when angry, completely distracting and even frightening the other students.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Interestingly, Lorraine has taught Judy to ward off her frightening visions by using a nursery rhyme, effectively teaching her to suppress her dark side.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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That's really frightening because people can be really cruel and that's dangerous.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Research in attachment theory tells us that people with anxious attachment tendencies often monitor signs of availability and care in their partners.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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While all of his children enjoy supporting him at his fights, María is the one who gets the most anxious, according to Canelo.—
Nasha Smith,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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