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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
This is NDiaye at her disquieting best. Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025 The combination of quavering flutes and solemn, unfamiliar corridors is disquieting. Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • Amid social turmoil, three intertwining tales of disillusioned misfits collide under the machinations of an all-seeing institution.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The Human League got most of its turmoil over with right at the start, when two of the founding members of the Sheffield group left to form Heaven 17.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • However, boundaries have not been redrawn since the 1971 census, as successive governments delayed the process over concerns about uneven population growth.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Damaging winds and flooding remain the primary concerns for any storms that can form on Thursday.
    Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While the prevalence of carfentanil still pales in comparison to fentanyl, experts are nevertheless alarmed by the increase of a substance researched for years as a chemical weapon and deployed by Russian forces on Chechen separatists in 2002.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The alerts were triggered by the severe thunderstorm moving through the area, alarming some residents who were unaware the city’s siren system now also goes off when a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Another trend was that police arrested or charged at least 59 people due to unrest at school board meetings from May 2021 through November 2022.
    Carrie Sampson, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The threat of civil unrest hung over the final days of voting.
    Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Nearly a quarter of New Orleans residents live in poverty, and the prospect of a substantial windfall for a few hours’ work apparently outweighed any fear of getting into a car that was about to take part in a high-speed accident.
    Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Esther says Kim had shared her fear of Terry Rose well before her disappearance.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Another employee spoke with The New Yorker for the 2016 story while wearing a disguise, worried about retribution.
    Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Hikers, who already worry about bikes flying down narrow trails, now worry about e-bikes flying up from behind.
    Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Yet nothing could stop the speculation and growing unease about the future of LIV Golf.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
  • City’s results have begun to sow unease among Arsenal fans.
    Reuters, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Last year’s Public Service Commission flips were a blaring warning sign in a cycle dominated by voter anxiety over affordability and utility costs.
    Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 12 Apr. 2026
  • For weeks, Hilton and Bianco have led polls while eight prominent Democrats including Swalwell split the support of liberal voters, stoking anxiety among Democrats that the party could end up shut out of the November election.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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