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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 Battle Royale lingered, as did a general sense of disquiet. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025 Of the clubs still waiting to do some proper business, Silva’s disquiet at Fulham is among the most legitimate — and is the one that could have the biggest consequences, given his contract expires next summer, like Glasner’s at Palace. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
Vessel’s lyrics seem disquieted by the attention, though. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025 One of Biden’s challenges is that some of the Black men who are paying close attention in Macon are deeply disquieted by the influx of migrants at the U.S.’s southern border and the amount of money that his administration has committed to stopping Russia’s war in Ukraine. Maeve Reston, Washington Post, 30 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • The turmoil affecting air travel prompted Delta Air Lines on Thursday to demand that Congress reopen the government immediately.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Among Franco’s other movies about worlds in turmoil is New Order, the 2020 Spanish language drama that portrayed a coup d’état in which the wealthy ruling class is replaced by a militarized regime, and which bowed in Venice.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The deployment has also raised concerns about racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and political pressure on law enforcement to align with federal immigration crackdowns.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
  • He was included on the short list of presidential candidates in 2022 when Democrats started airing concerns about then-President Joe Biden's ability to run for a second term.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Next, a 10,000-pound concrete-and-steel battering ram was used to punch 24-foot holes through the ice, beginning at the far end of the whales' four-mile path to freedom, so as not to alarm them.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Kim has steered South Korea's northern neighbor closer to Russia and embarked on a large-scale military buildup that has alarmed Seoul and Tokyo.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The unrest presents a test for Hassan, who won plaudits after taking office in 2021 for easing repression of opponents and censorship that had increased under her predecessor John Magufuli.
    Reuters 10 hr ago, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Three people with knowledge of those interests said there was consternation among insiders that forcing Maduro out could foment chaos and unrest and impede their access.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the occasional mutual love, progressives have argued that Sliwa has previously stoked racist fears and encouraged vigilante aggression.
    Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Glossier is supporting other alumni of its 5-year-old grant program this year because of the challenges so many of these emerging brands are facing—and despite political fear among many other companies to keep these kinds of programs going.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • More broadly, the NBA has expressed concern about prop bets, while other sports leagues have worried about the potential for manipulation.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • After Trump spoke to Lurie, local leaders and advocates worried that Trump would shift his attention from San Francisco, which at one point hosted more billionaires than any other city, to less powerful and more diverse enclaves like Oakland and Alameda.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But each story adds to the uncertainty and unease in the air.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The unease was amplified by the woman’s explanation that the prints appeared in an area of the apartment not easily accessed.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That driving tension and anxiety are largely thanks to the team of artisans, which included composer Volker Bertelmann, editor Kirk Baxter and sound designer Paul Ottosson, who worked closely behind the scenes on their respective crafts to bring it together.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025
  • That sense of anxiety is present throughout the book, most vividly in a wide shot of a group of cheerleaders rehearsing in a gym.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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