DISQUIET Synonyms: 192 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

disquiet 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disquiet

as in turmoil

a disturbed or uneasy state a period of disquiet before the results of the close election were confirmed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concern

an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble was filled with disquiet as the hours passed without any sign of the missing children

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disquiet

2 of 2

verb

(ˌ)dis-ˈkwī-ət

as in to concern

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy we were disquieted by the strange noises we heard outside our tent at night

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Deadline hears that there is disquiet at the BBC over the corporation’s decision to broadcast helicopter footage of Andy Burnham‘s journey from Manchester to London. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 June 2026 At the same time, the shrinking economy, new limits on internet access, blocks on popular messaging apps and concerns over state surveillance are adding to a wider sense of disquiet that is already starting to be reflected in polling data. — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

Verb

The impersonations were disquieting. — Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2026 Her images of ice blocks, lush fabrics, cherries, sea animals, and charred hearts are disquieting in the best way and well worth trekking to Santa Monica to witness in person. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disquiet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet

Noun

During a 2023 reunion episode of the TLC reality show, Janelle expressed her inner turmoil regarding her views on her union with Kody.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
The turmoil after the removal of former prime minister Imran through a vote of no confidence in April 2022 reverberated through the corridors of power at the PCB.

— Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of turmoil

Noun

The Lincoln has been at sea for an extended deployment during the Iran war, which sparked concerns among lawmakers and military families after reports of the crew’s worsening mental health and conditions aboard.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
In Utah, training starts with the basics of how AI works to teach an understanding of AI bias, hallucinations, ethical concerns and data privacy needs, Winters said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

Garcia said that before the attack, residents were already alarmed by a May news release from the city manager of neighboring Rio Vista, who warned that the project and potential annexation could open the door to a giant data center being built.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Terrified Jewish voters—alarmed by progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s anti-Zionist rhetoric—are fleeing to Republican Mike Rogers for self-preservation.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

Denis, who goes by Jan Mapou after his store, Libreri Mapou, has long been a fixture in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, a refuge since the 1970s for Haitians fleeing dictators and political unrest.

— Chris Kenning, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Columbia, which doesn’t have its own police force, handled the unrest by shutting, reopening, and resealing its borders, confusing even itself.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

The frenzy followed Beijing’s decision in the mid-1980s to ban imports of almost all blood products – except human albumin – amid growing fears over the global HIV/AIDS crisis.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Now, as my anxiety climbed, the smell was becoming inseparable from the fear.

— Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of fear

Verb

In Texas, lawmakers have been exploring a ban on foreign nationals using Texas surrogates – a move surrogacy experts worry could be the first step toward a statewide ban on the practice.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
The Port of Los Angeles forklift driver was wearing a life vest and was floating away, out to sea -- cold, worried about sharks and drowning.

— Michele Gile, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

Global economic instability has created unease at home, and a property crisis coupled with high youth unemployment has convinced some residents that securing a stable job within the government is the best path.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
There's more unease about opportunities among younger generations.

— Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of unease

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“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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