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
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Our most disturbing finding is that the average addiction treatment center today is no more effective than rehabs were three decades ago.
—Joanna Conti, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
As a statement of intent, that opening scene is as lo-fi as can be, but disturbing nonetheless.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Adjective
Anna and Jack put the pieces together that all three crimes are connected by the disturbing messages displayed on their deceased bodies, as well as the same friendship bracelet attached to each victim.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Our most disturbing finding is that the average addiction treatment center today is no more effective than rehabs were three decades ago.
—Joanna Conti, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
That the city is moving forward on this enormous project without a concrete plan for that space is disturbing in and of itself.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
As a statement of intent, that opening scene is as lo-fi as can be, but disturbing nonetheless.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbing
Adjective
-
Garlic supplements and dietary garlic can have health benefits, and a few annoying side effects, like bad breath and stomach upset.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Patriots’ fans view Sunday as an annoying calisthenic, if not a joke.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Wilks was finally fired following an embarrassing Week 15 loss to the Jaguars.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
This means finally ridding yourself of the embarrassing high school or college address you are still stuck with decades later.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Its preliminary conclusions paint a stark and unsettling picture of Good’s final moments.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The Upside Down itself could have begun seeping into the real world in unsettling ways.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Chalk the moves up to uneasy investors.—
Brandon Kochkodin,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Kelly and King shake things up around the half-hour mark by venturing into the real world, where Grace (Cristin Milioti), the mother of two boys unusually far apart in age, starts being overcome by uneasy feelings about a cold dark void.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After her husband took her pets out of the room, Bloor then faced the even more delicate task of safely removing herself from the bed without alarming the snake.—
Phil Boucher,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
While a small sample size, the historical record for what happens after the S & P 500 has a down month after a seven-month win streak is more reassuring than alarming for the near term.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But what specific goals did this Administration have in removing Maduro and taking control?—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
But the season ended with a blowout loss in Seattle last week, removing the dream scenario of the 49ers lifting the Lombardi Trophy on their home field.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In a panel conversation on Friday, Georgieva said that AI is already disrupting labor markets worldwide by shifting demand for skills employers seek, and might even boost earnings for some workers by improving productivity.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Kelly, alongside a mob of activists, allegedly stormed Cities Church over the weekend, disrupting a Sunday sermon based on allegations that one of the pastors, David Easterwood, is an ICE official.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Is a man bothering you at a bar?—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
-
If the plaintiff can get the information from, say, an SEC filing, then the plaintiff must go that route instead of bothering the speaker.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbing. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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