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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
The fate of the hostages is a visceral issue for most Israelis and one that has caused increasing disquiet and division in Israeli society as the war has dragged on. Reuters, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2023 Lewi said the shows are tied together by themes of disquiet. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
They were rightly disquieted by other trends that have marked the Indian economy in recent years, including high unemployment, wage stagnation, flattening levels of consumption, and widening inequality. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2024 David also was disquieted by his brother’s familiarity with the places that had been targeted by the Unabomber. Steve Chawkins, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • Regardless of the political turmoil and debate around the cryptoasset sector the fact remains that institutional adoption has continued virtually unabated.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • When interviewed last year, Hernandez blamed part of the financial turmoil on constantly rising costs, especially since the pandemic.
    Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • The report found that concerns were often handled informally without adequate record-keeping, and that freelance staff felt reluctant to complain due to job insecurity.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2025
  • In seconds, content appears without shipping or physical storage concerns.
    Vikrant Shaurya, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • In an interview with an internal affairs investigator, Pascua said she wasn’t alarmed by Elisa’s fall.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Those of us frustrated or alarmed about the scope of the Trump administration’s immigration raids must unequivocally condemn violence against government workers and law enforcement.
    Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The company, which now has a manufacturing supply chain stretching from Vietnam to Peru, is in a decent position to weather trade unrest.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 21 July 2025
  • Volcanic unrest and gas hazard areas Contributing: Jennifer Borresen and Shawn J. Sullivan, USA TODAY.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Concerns of fear growing in migrant communities Mora said this issue runs deep for him and others who work in immigration law.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 23 July 2025
  • Lean Into Peer Support A mental obstacle holding leaders back is avoiding support or peer groups out of fear of sharing ideas.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Buying back-to-school supplies can be challenging for families, so organizations and companies across Phoenix are hosting backpack and school supply giveaways to ensure that no student has to worry about being ready for the school year.
    Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 19 July 2025
  • Consider buying bottles with pumps so guests don't have to worry about unscrewing lids and pouring the syrups in their drinks.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • Other countries were still expressing unease, however.
    Brit Morse, Fortune, 6 July 2025
  • But progress on this front has been slow, most likely due to China’s increasing unease with Iranian foreign policy and doubts about its long-term stability.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.
    Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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