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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The work’s first movement captures a dreamlike quality, intersecting childlike wonder with an element of disquiet. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026 That disquiet is all merely a footnote now, though. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 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

So then this kind of social turmoil also with the economic turmoil, inflation was really, really high for a number of years in the '90s.

— Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
First signs of turmoil emerged in July last year, when LuisaViaRoma revealed plans to streamline its business operations by shutting its unit and office in Milan.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

Definition of turmoil

Verb

But many doctors are alarmed by a craze that has thousands of people injecting themselves with substances of dubious origin and whose long-term effects are unknown.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 20 July 2026
In Orange County, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County maintains infectious-disease surveillance and disease-reporting services for residents and visitors, which is exactly how local systems stay ready without alarming the public.

— Luis E. Caso Vega, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

Protesters have been calling for accountability after allegations entrance exams to esteemed medical schools had been leaked and sold, with the unrest led by a youth campaign known as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Los Angeles was the site of significant unrest following raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

— Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

Saturn stations retrograde in your 12th House of Solitude, asking you to review rest, avoidance, private fears, and the habits that either restore you or keep you quietly overloaded.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
Taken the year after Till’s death, the climate remained highly dangerous for Black people, and Gordon wrote about his fear documenting the inequalities within the city.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of fear

Verb

While supporters say this is necessary for the UC to remain a leader in STEM fields, critics worry these tests are biased against low-income and minority students.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Substantive verses are new terrain for Lacy, who, as a younger writer, worried more about hooks and beats.

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 22 July 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

The Leeds quartet built a reputation on sardonic observations about modern life, packaging political unease inside wiry post-punk.

— Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
This, combined with the sheer horror of many of the crimes committed against the Bowdens, generates a tension in the viewer that makes the unease a young Antosca felt watching the 1962 film feel tame by comparison.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

Still, people living near the border say the possibility of Belarus becoming more involved in Russia’s war remains a source of anxiety.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Psychological symptoms like anxiety, irritability and depression often show up before physical ones, peaking between ages 41 and 45.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026

Definition of anxiety

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“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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