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Definition of disquietnext
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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

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
Cooper will want to keep an eye on industry disquiet about Channel 4’s plans to launch an in-house productions unit. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2025 The Battle Royale lingered, as did a general sense of disquiet. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Vessel’s lyrics seem disquieted by the attention, though. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025 One of Biden’s challenges is that some of the Black men who are paying close attention in Macon are deeply disquieted by the influx of migrants at the U.S.’s southern border and the amount of money that his administration has committed to stopping Russia’s war in Ukraine. Maeve Reston, Washington Post, 30 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • There could be some relationship turmoil popping up for you now and in the weeks ahead, Gemini.
    Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Amid the turmoil, former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes Burrow is wasting his prime years in Cincinnati.
    Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The measures, which had been agreed to in writing in mid-November 2023, were intended to address Lively’s concerns about on-set conduct and safety.
    Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Venezuelan immigrants and political refugees are celebrating the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, despite local protests and legal concerns.
    Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The images alarmed many onlookers, watchdogs and people whose photos had been manipulated, and there was a sustained pushback on X leading up to the change.
    Kevin Collier, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
  • That the administration appears unconcerned by this fact should alarm everyone else.
    Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Some other reports put the death toll from unrest much higher, with TIME citing a doctor in Tehran as saying at least 217 people had been killed, for instance.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • In a statement broadcast by state TV, a security force known for quelling unrest accused terrorists of targeting military and law enforcement bases over the past two nights.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • A lot of people get drawn into the fear, distracted by the thoughts in their head.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Many immigrant customers haven’t returned, while five of his former employees, despite having working papers, left Charlotte permanently out of fear.
    Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Punk music and its spirit clearly worried the Soviet rulers.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
  • For voters worried about health-insurance coverage or the future of research in the United States, scientists, health-care workers, and public-health experts may have particular appeal right now, Shields told me.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Mia Goth’s dual roles add another layer of unease.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Political turmoil added to unease up North.
    Stephanie Hughes, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • The attendees—thirty- and forty-somethings who are members of the bank’s Private Wealth Management (PWM) division, which boasts an average account size of over $75 million—gathered to hash out their anxiety and excitement.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Barton will have to wait another month to receive his sentence for the six guilty counts the jury returned on charges of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety to football broadcasters Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, and TV and radio host Jeremy Vine.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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