1
as in annoying
causing annoyance
a disturbing visit by the next-door neighbor while I was trying to study
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2
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
there was a disturbing silence as I struggled to remember her name
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3
as in unsettling
causing worry or anxiety
a disturbing trend in the nation's energy consumption
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4
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
a disturbing pause in the normally smooth operation of the machinery
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1
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
all that talk of war disturbed us
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2
as in removing
to change the place or position of
the items on her desk had been disturbed by someone
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3
as in disrupting
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
her careful filing system is sure to be disturbed during the move
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4
as in bothering
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
sorry to disturb you while you're working
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5
as in troubling
to cause discomfort to or trouble for
please do not disturb yourself—I'll get my own drink
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disturbing
Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2025
Johnson said the disturbing account was just one night in 20 years of violence, abuse and depravity that jurors would hear about throughout the trial, expected to last eight weeks.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2025
The shop’s owner, Mahmoud Muna, and his nephew Ahmad were arrested for incitement, a charge later downgraded to disturbing public order, and are now serving five days of house arrest.
—Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Adjective
The Season 15 finale, which featured a dark and disturbing confrontation between Brynn Whitfield and Ubah Hassan, was undoubtedly captivating.
—Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2025
Johnson said the disturbing account was just one night in 20 years of violence, abuse and depravity that jurors would hear about throughout the trial, expected to last eight weeks.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
Verb
Also, Prince has a list of disturbing assault allegations alleged by former partners.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2025
The shop’s owner, Mahmoud Muna, and his nephew Ahmad were arrested for incitement, a charge later downgraded to disturbing public order, and are now serving five days of house arrest.
—Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbing
Adjective
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But if Hereditary and Midsommar got under the skin with genuinely scary storytelling and startling imagery and Beau is Afraid was equal parts squirmy and maddening, Eddington is just annoying and empty.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
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The narcissistic parent might also guilt trip the child for expressing their feelings, thoughts, or needs—accusing them of being too demanding or overwhelming, annoying, or stressing them out, even when a child clearly needs help or comfort.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Their latest sham impeachment charade against President Trump is another embarrassing political stunt.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
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Ventura spent more than 20 hours recounting to Southern District of New York prosecutors and Combs’ attorneys embarrassing and graphic details about freak-offs that allegedly began early on in the R&B singer’s romance with her older Bad Boy Records label boss.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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One of the most unsettling moments at UFC 315 occurred when Bruno Silva left the Octagon after suffering a knockout loss to Marc-Andre Barriault on the early prelims of the fight card.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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His Emilio is the protagonist and, although all the characters are given a shot at Death, Jacobs as Emilio is the most unsettling.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Today, hydrogen bombs have replaced atom bombs in most arsenals, creating a world of uneasy standoffs among nuclear foes.—
William J. Broad,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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With the rage virus still raging, a group of survivors, including a husband and wife played by Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, lives in uneasy isolation on a fortified island — until one of them crosses the causeway into whatever’s left of the mainland.—
Greg Braxton,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Start by removing the old hardware using a screwdriver, saving the screws if needed, and clean the surface to remove any residue.—
Perri Ormont Blumberg,
Architectural Digest,
27 Dec. 2024
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The acids in toner can also act as chemical exfoliants, removing any extra dead skin cells or other debris that might build up.—
Amanda Svachula,
Health,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Robertson had a good sequence throwing a big hit on Gage Goncalves and disrupting his shot attempt seconds later.—
Omar White,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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Artificial intelligence is already disrupting numerous sectors across society.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Jan. 2025
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The New York Mets scored three runs in the seventh to snap a 1-1 tie en route to a 5-1 win over the Red Sox on a frustrating night.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Both English teams have been experiencing frustrating, parallel worlds as the pair have struggled mightily in the Premier League.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbing. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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