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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
The subjects say rending but also disquieting things about killing. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 This is NDiaye at her disquieting best. Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • The turmoil has included the sudden resignation of then-Supt.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The Twin Cities’ response to a sweeping federal immigration crackdown that threw communities and local economies into turmoil offers a glimpse of what resilience and solidarity look like in practice.
    Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The front office also faced growing concerns about whether Reese’s presence would deter the signing of returning veterans and key free agents the Sky had targeted.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Mercury in your 2nd House of Values keeps practical concerns active.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Many researchers, advocates and policy experts are alarmed by this White House policy.
    Alison Barkoff, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2026
  • But the city stressed that this operation would not be for a data center, which remains a source of contention for many residents alarmed by their proliferation across the state.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That is, up until the 1911 census, after which unrest put the practice on pause.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
    City News Service, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Future Hall of Fame QBs are built to block out fear and bury doubt.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.
    Albinson Linares, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That worries Thomas Johnson, a Black voter in New Orleans who was at the state Capitol to lobby on unrelated legislation Wednesday when the Supreme Court ruling came down.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • When Arakas was arrested, Bon neww worried that the police might have accessed the Estonian’s BlackBerry.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the messages read out in court, the gang leader’s growing unease with the technology is apparent.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The speed of the map’s passage — and the circumstances surrounding it — have fueled outrage among Democrats and even unease within some Republican circles.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Incoming college freshmen are easy targets for people looking to profit from anxiety about loneliness, which the former US Surgeon General called an epidemic.
    Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Maygen says Paisley has struggled with anxiety ever since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 2 years old.
    Nicki Cox, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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