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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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
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Gloriously unsettling, disturbing, and full of twists and turns, Servant is a spectacular look at family and the inescapable weight of grief.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Headlining names include large-scale Danish Icelandic sculptor Olafur Eliasson and Brazilian artist Ernesto, known for his unsettling, organic knitted pieces.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 14 Apr. 2025
The voice of Pope Francis has been such a voice—gentle, disarming, and at times, unsettling.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
In the series, Moore plays the wildly wealthy, but mysterious Michaela Kell, who presides over her luxurious seaside estate, Cliff House, with a rather unsettling air (there’s kind of a Wicker Man/Midsommar in Lily Pulitzer vibe to the whole place).
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Gloriously unsettling, disturbing, and full of twists and turns, Servant is a spectacular look at family and the inescapable weight of grief.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Headlining names include large-scale Danish Icelandic sculptor Olafur Eliasson and Brazilian artist Ernesto, known for his unsettling, organic knitted pieces.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 14 Apr. 2025
The voice of Pope Francis has been such a voice—gentle, disarming, and at times, unsettling.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
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The lack of caring about my childhood was so disturbing.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2025
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Instead, this is yet another disturbing reminder that our society values certain lives more than others.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Consumer sentiment and expectations Americans are feeling uneasy about the economy, and that is showing up in the data.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Still, Ruark is increasingly uneasy about the future.—
Catherine Baab,
Quartz,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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It’s also led to a troubling statistic from the Maple Leafs, whose offence and power play have been such a hallmark in recent years.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Moreover, recent signals that polluters are seeking exemptions to anti-pollution regulations indicate troubling times ahead for public health.—
Henna Hundal,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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They are characterized by tense exchanges, audience ejections and, in one case, stun guns deployed to subdue two attendees.—
Averi Harper,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2025
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At one point, he's shown punching a wooden door, and his relationship with girlfriend Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt, seems tense.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Occupying and distracting the mind.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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While most of the acting is wonderful (Wyle is predictably great, but so is just about all of the main cast), some patient-of-the-week players err towards distracting histrionics.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These frightening and repulsive actions represent the most significant breach on our Capitol in over two hundred years.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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Mellencamp's frightening diagnosis, though, hasn't stopped her resolve.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Another reason people put off going to bed is to avoid feeling anxious or restless, said James Rowley, MD, a sleep medicine expert at Rush University Medical Center and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2025
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Professionally, Xavier is anxious about future tax exposure from his deferred compensation.—
Brian Lasher,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Overweight and obesity need to be treated safely and effectively to avoid that worrying forecast.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Dec. 2024
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Bitcoin has dropping back from its all-time high of over $100,000 in the last week as BlackRock quietly confirmed a worrying bitcoin bombshell.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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