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disquiet

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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

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
Kamaru’s album, unlike more conventionally soothing strains of ambient music, reflected that thrumming sense of disquiet. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2026 There’s understandably a lot of disquiet, as he is now viewed as a total pariah. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
This is NDiaye at her disquieting best. Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025 The combination of quavering flutes and solemn, unfamiliar corridors is disquieting. Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • But the persona turmoil behind this transformational figure has in many ways remained hidden from view.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026
  • But the stock market is brushing off the turmoil.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Those who have adopted its use for shopping are driven primarily by convenience and efficiency, but many are constrained by concerns around trust and authenticity.
    Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Scott’s fellow Democrats ousted him from his post as ranking minority member on the Agriculture Committee in 2024 amid concerns about his age and health.
    Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His campaign is gaining momentum at a time when many of the administration’s steadfast Christian backers—alarmed by the president’s bullying campaign against Pope Leo XIV in recent weeks, among other heresies—have been rethinking their support.
    Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Maduro’s capture and extraction alarmed the Cuban leadership.
    Carlos Manuel Alvarez, Time, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Amid the unrest, the mine shut down.
    Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the government’s handling of political detainees, even after the passage of an amnesty law earlier this year intended to address cases tied to political unrest spanning more than two decades.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Gábor Polyák, a professor of media law at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, said many in the capital were hearing stories of elderly people in small villages who, since Magyar’s victory, were living in fear.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Among the victims were two boys, ages 12 and 14, whose deaths have rattled their community in Northeast Washington and prompted broader fears about an uptick in gun violence that typically unfolds in warmer weather.
    Marissa J. Lang, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • A lot could happen before either makes their season debut, which is why Gil isn’t worrying about his future just yet.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Gutiérrez worries that Trump’s eagerness for a trophy that has evaded 12 Democratic and Republican presidents could get the better of him.
    Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Tens of thousands of layoffs at Meta over the last four years as the company balances its AI ambitions with investor unease.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
  • At the same time, Burry signaled growing unease with the broader market after a relentless rally to record highs despite persistent geopolitical tensions.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Mergen said recruitment to the DOJ had become harder over his decades there, as government shutdowns created anxiety about working at the department, and as nonprofits became more competitive in their salaries.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Where academic pressures run high, so does the money and the parental anxiety.
    Catherine Thorbecke, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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