1
as in annoying
causing annoyance
a disturbing visit by the next-door neighbor while I was trying to study
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Even more disturbing, some brands whose products were labeled as melatonin in the study actually had cannabidiol, or CBD, in them instead.
—
Sally Ibrahim,
The Conversation,
23 June 2026
Bob Wojnowski,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2026
The film, a reimagining of John Alan Schwartz’s 1978 film, follows a website content moderator (Ferreira) who becomes obsessed with a series of disturbing videos that seem to recreate scenes from the iconic Faces of Death film series.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Adjective
Neighbors in the community say the incident is deeply disturbing, as kids are always walking to the bus stop, passing, and playing in the park.
—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Even more disturbing, some brands whose products were labeled as melatonin in the study actually had cannabidiol, or CBD, in them instead.
—
Sally Ibrahim,
The Conversation,
23 June 2026
Verb
What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
—
Bob Wojnowski,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2026
The film, a reimagining of John Alan Schwartz’s 1978 film, follows a website content moderator (Ferreira) who becomes obsessed with a series of disturbing videos that seem to recreate scenes from the iconic Faces of Death film series.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbing
Adjective
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Scam texts are annoying for everyone.
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Others have blamed everything from feminism and long work commutes to annoying kiddy car seats.
Adjective
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But goals from Harry Kane in the 75th and 86th minutes saved England from an embarrassing early exit.
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America is better when Paul Skenes is embarrassing hitters with Livvy in the stands pounding Miller Lites.
Adjective
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The New York Times reported that multiple women who once dated Platner described the Maine oysterman’s behavior as intimidating and unsettling.
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This move, by a native of the attention economy, signals a growing trend of users actively disengaging, unsettling consumer investors.
Adjective
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The company and the government have since seemed to settle into an uneasy truce.
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But some retirees remain uneasy about security concerns, healthcare quality, and property ownership structures.
Verb
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At the same time, the state’s spending keeps growing quickly as well, alarming the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters.
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The 2023 property tax valuation cycle — and to a lesser extent, the 2024 and 2025 cycles — have been the subject of widespread outrage in Jackson County, with skyrocketing property values alarming homeowners and business owners alike.
Verb
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Regular care prevents yellowing by removing oils and buildup that dull fabrics over time.
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Bart Jansen Trump called the court removing restrictions on political spending a victory for Republicans and free speech.
Verb
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Woods said a reading in line with expectations would likely keep markets focused on inflation and the Federal Reserve's policy path without disrupting the recent rally.
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He’s flanked by more individually talented defenders than ever, with Cason Wallace disrupting ballhandlers and Alex Caruso as versatile as any of the team’s guard defenders.
Verb
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
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The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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