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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
Creative activations, particularly ones that shock or disquiet, can make the problem of textile waste visible in a city where overconsumption is often glamorized. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2025 Sources of succor and disquiet—currents which Winter has ridden in life and art—each female elder is a maternal presence who offers complementary textures to the tapestry Winter has woven from threads of experience and sheer imagination. Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
In fact, the energy is disquieting and distracting to you. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025 Vessel’s lyrics seem disquieted by the attention, though. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • The head of artistic programming at the Kennedy Center abruptly stepped away from his post less than two weeks after he was named to the job in the latest sign of turmoil at the iconic performing arts venue.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Sports technology transactions thrived in 2025, despite the advent of tariffs, a government shutdown and geopolitical turmoil.
    Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • So having another person in her space was always a little surprising, even if the curator, gazing at her with his usual mix of mild reproach and gauzy concern, seemed not abundantly different from the empty chair.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • While health has always been a personal concern, now there are more ways for leadership to support these habits through intentional programming.
    Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The affected regions in southern Africa are no strangers to heavy downpours and flooding, but scientists were alarmed by the magnitude of the recent events.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
  • While this alarmed some users, this type of intrusive data harvesting is common on social media apps.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The sweeps, in addition to crowd-management responsibilities, are typically dealt with by local police, who often have more experience and training in de-escalating large demonstrations and tamping down civil unrest.
    Anna Schecter, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • But two shootings of US citizens and scenes of unrest in Minnesota are blotting out any hope of that.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • His greatest fear is summer — when warm weather could bring even larger crowds if enforcement is still ongoing.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Students without legal status couldn’t speak out without fear of deportation, and universities were rushing to determine how to implement the ruling.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Alinejad views her mission as exposing the situation in Iran and giving voice to victims, but worries the attempts on her life will create a fear of inviting her to speak.
    Katrina Kaufman, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Lindsay Koshgarian, the program director of the National Priorities Project who has been tracking deployment costs, worries that at some point, these expenses will affect funding for other important military priorities.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Some of these investors are looking to ride the latest upward price trend and others are reacting to inflation concerns, economic uncertainties or broader market unease.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Niazi’s writing about her career moves also shows some unease with the personal.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This year, anxiety over the federal government and a wavering stock market is making people less secure in their finances, causing some tenants to move in with family or friends — leaving studio and one-bedroom apartments empty.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
  • The nonprofit, formerly known as Sattvic Meals Foundation, aims to address hunger anxiety at community colleges.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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