disquiet 1 of 2

Definition of disquietnext
1
2

disquiet

2 of 2

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
Curbs on free speech only add to the disquiet. Charlie Campbell, Time, 1 Apr. 2026 Cumming hinted at ongoing global disquiet without going too far or getting too pointed. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
To say that Nicholas did not share his father’s politics is an understatement, but much of his bibliography can be seen as a reckoning with his father’s unsettling career in politics and disquieting legacy. Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026 The subjects say rending but also disquieting things about killing. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • The most recent turmoil stems from the second of two rulings from the state’s highest court that focused on a referendum campaign, called People Not Politicians, that last year turned in more than 305,000 signatures to force a November statewide vote on the map.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
  • The cuts deepen the turmoil at Air India, following a devastating crash last year and the departure of its CEO last month.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Accessibility Rooms for those with mobility needs are in place, and the fitness club, pool, spa, and public bathrooms also address accessibility concerns.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
  • Since then, a growing number of cities have opted to further regulate e-bikes, citing a growing number of incidents and safety concerns.
    Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • That threat alone should alarm anyone who pays bills, runs a business, or has seen government expand as basic services deteriorate.
    Matt Klink, Daily News, 14 May 2026
  • Steadman Stahl, the president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, told CBS News Miami that he is alarmed by this case and hopes someone can help find the suspect.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Cárdenas returned to Nicaragua in the late 1970s to live in semi-retirement, but political unrest in the country, in the form of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, forced him to flee and eventually return to the United States.
    Ed Guzman, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
  • Russia is now roiled by rumors of organized unrest with months to go before parliamentary elections, while Putin himself faces allegations of extreme isolation and a weakening grip on power.
    Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Those fears have eased somewhat in recent months as some Democratic candidates advance from the pack.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
  • Your co-parent is managing treatment, uncertainty and the very real fear of how this will affect his relationship with his daughter.
    Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Yet with the tool’s skyrocketing popularity, some experts worry about potential hallucinations or incomplete answers, the potential for doctors’ critical thinking skills to erode and more.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 13 May 2026
  • No need to worry about fitting them in your personal item either, as most of their products can be easily stored in accompanying travel bags or deflated to take up less room.
    Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Though the vote still failed largely along party lines, Murkowski's flip was a warning sign for the White House about the unease of some Republicans on Capitol Hill as the conflict drags on.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 13 May 2026
  • Many Asian countries now count China as their largest trading partner, a reality that creates both opportunity and unease.
    Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • But the following year, as the pandemic wore on and crime rates ticked up, the politics of criminal justice in the city shifted toward law-and-order anxiety, even as new waves of COVID infection struck the jails.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • War rumbles on Putin, who has ruled Russia as president or prime minister since the last day of 1999, faces a wave of anxiety in Moscow about the war in Ukraine, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people, left swathes of Ukraine in ruins, and drained Russia’s $3 trillion economy.
    Reuters, NBC news, 10 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on disquiet

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster