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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 opprobrium was far from just domestic, with leaders across Europe voicing their disquiet and urging Zelenskyy to rethink. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 July 2025 Refaat never revealed what was at the root of his disquiet. Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 30 July 2024
Verb
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 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 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • Thailand has been in political turmoil since, ever since deadly border clashes with Cambodian forces.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Stock futures gained momentum on Sunday evening as investors brace for fresh inflation data and political turmoil overseas that could ripple through the bond market.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And Danielson noted that the team now has plenty of time to practice and give attention to areas of concern.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, concern is growing about how certain food additives and preservatives may disrupt the gut’s delicate balance.
    Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • China's nuclear arsenal has especially alarmed Washington and its allies.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The last time a president bypassed a state’s governor in sending the National Guard to quell civil unrest was in Selma, Alabama, in 1965.
    Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Since the summer of unrest over the death of George Floyd, the NFL has allowed teams to have performers sing the song, known as the Black national anthem.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But all friends need to be honest with each other, to tell each other home truths when it’s needed, to confront those awkward moments without fear of the reaction.
    Steve Sedgwick, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The progressive fear that the Abundance movement wants to take over the Democratic Party isn’t baseless at all — its adherents have plenty of influence in it now.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Not knowing much about the condition, Mares-Sedillo worried that her face would be permanently altered.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The condition's most severe symptoms are sensitivities to spices, salt, and sweets, which means there's no reason to worry about a geographic tongue diagnosis.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The brief spasm, though, betrays an unease in the incredibly slim majority Johnson controls and the volatility in his base.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
  • That sense of unease has grown more in recent years, as shifting immigration policies fuel confusion about what protections still exist.
    David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At the council meeting for the resolution, several migrants and their families spoke in favor of its passage, expressing their anxieties in day-to-day life, according to The Chronicle.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The starting point is learning to cultivate present-moment awareness and simply noticing your anxiety.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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