disquiet 1 of 4

Definition of disquietnext
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disquiet

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verb (1)

disquieting

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adjective

disquieting

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verb (2)

present participle of disquiet

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
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 Additionally, her former schoolmate, who is now an activist nun, brings disquiet to the community when she is stranded there while returning the remains of a former nun, a murder victim. The Know, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
Verb
The combination of quavering flutes and solemn, unfamiliar corridors is disquieting. Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025 As a consequence, the president has given fresh impetus to a story that has disquieted even parts of his base. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
There’s a world in which Minus One is disquieting, where the nuisance of who started that war is totally lost and instead we’re treated to a nationalistic uprising. James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026 In a way, the conclusion is even more disquieting. Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
The subjects say rending but also disquieting things about killing. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 This is NDiaye at her disquieting best. Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • Chinese companies aren’t retreating from the Arabian Gulf despite turmoil in the region, according to one of the world’s top management consultants.
    Bloomberg, Bloomberg, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest actress Hüller, currently on screens opposite Ryan Gosling in box office hit Project Hail Mary, plays a mysterious soldier who appears in a secluded Protestant village amidst the turmoil of the Thirty Years’ War.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Underwood and his players downplayed their concerns about playing Houston in its home city.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Hitting was a major concern last regular season for the Rangers, who got middling production in terms of home runs (18th) and RBIs (19th) and struggled to consistently get on base, ranking 26th in batting average and OBP.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Most disturbing, the largest net loss of IRS filers continues to be among young adults.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • So, yes, Reingold’s story identified some disturbing failures.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That neighbor also raised concerns about security, saying fewer on-site resources and changes in how calls are handled have left some people feeling uneasy.
    Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • As the war in Iran stretches into a fifth week, investors who had been hopeful for a quick resolution are growing increasingly uneasy about the real-world fallout from the conflict.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • When a white suburban jury acquitted the LAPD officers who beat Black motorist Rodney King, protesters spilled into the Slot and set the nearby landmark palm trees on fire — a precursor for the unrest to come.
    Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
  • So when, in December 2025, thousands of ICE agents descended upon the Twin Cities, initiating two months of unrest and violence, restaurants were not at the forefront of the headlines, but acutely absorbing its impact.
    David Farley, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Rabbi Irwin Kula, the panel’s moderator, asked the participants to describe their biggest fear or nightmare.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Sacramento community advocates are sounding the alarm over fears of deep city budget cuts that could impact public safety.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The unsolved nature of the Bradley case is unsettling, to say the least.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Skeptics point out oral exams can be unsettling for students who are shy or have serious anxiety, but clarifying the format ahead of time and starting with softball questions can help, says Carolyn Aslan, who leads Cornell’s oral exam training.
    Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • His absence comes at a tense moment in his second term.
    Elena Moore, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The park department began managing Fair Park in September, scrambling to transition and set up contracts for services like security and events after a tense split from its previous operator.
    Aria Jones, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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