disturbing 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈstər-biŋ How to pronounce disturbing (audio)
Definition of disturbingnext
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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disturbing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of disturb
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

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 disturbing
Adjective
After a few weeks, Nikki’s acts of devotion escalate, including cooking his cat in a disturbing attempt to support his dream of becoming a food critic. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026 But Mamdani’s national prominence as a progressive leader makes his comments disturbing and worth rebutting. — Daniel Kolkey, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
A couple of years ago, a neighbor’s trees were disturbing the view from their $3-million summer house on the coast of Maine. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 These thrusters offer long endurance, maneuverability, and cold resistance without disturbing delicate surface layers. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbing
  1. annoying
  2. embarrassing
  3. unsettling
  4. uneasy
  5. alarming
  6. removing
  7. disrupting
  8. bothering
Adjective
  • The best mascaras for older women help coat lashes with color while addressing the annoying issues that come with age.
    — Micaela English, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2026
  • First, dust the surface to eliminate any annoying dust and dirt particles.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoying
Adjective
  • The question about Vrabel's family counseling sessions that followed an embarrassing unfurling of a years-long relationship between him and a reporter was met with an answer that ultimately discussed offensive line combination blocks.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Individuals can't plead the Fifth before Congress simply to avoid embarrassing testimony.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Adjective
  • The script is generally funny and romantic but can also get unsettling.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Set against the remote, insular world of its titular island, production designer Steve Arnold and set decorator Jennifer Engel created a lived-in, slightly stuck in time and, when necessary, deeply unsettling environment.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • Security will remain in place at the schools, officials said, and counselors will be available for students who feel uneasy about attending classes.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But that blend of raucous laughs (OK, well, some raucous laughs, some mere attempts at them) and real world concerns makes for an uneasy watch, ping-ponging between moods and tones in unpredictable ways.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Verb
  • The development proved alarming enough that OpenAI vowed last week to slow the release of its upcoming Astra AI model.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Found in many foods For consumers, of course, the latest food safety concerns can be alarming given that lettuce and jalapeño peppers are used in many of the roughly 1 billion meals Americans consume daily.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of alarming
Verb
  • Niforatos said removing the products from the market is the best course of action.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Tate said the best way to keep snakes out of your car is by removing what’s drawing the animals in.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of removing
Verb
  • The strategically vital strait has been effectively closed by Iran since fighting began in late February, disrupting a major route for global oil shipments.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Tellis said these private companies would likely be better at surveillance than actually disrupting criminal enterprises.
    — Henry Larson, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of disrupting
Verb
  • The one issue that is bothering me at or just before launch is the CPU's Wear and Tear management.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The arnica in this gel can help treat sore muscles, aches, swelling, or other pains that are bothering you, too.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of bothering

Browse Nearby Words

disturbers
disturbing
disturbingly
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Cite this Entry

“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbing. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disturbing

Nglish: Translation of disturbing for Spanish Speakers

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