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
Today, Jolson’s appearance in blackface is a disturbing sight. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026 Something that felt fresh, exciting and also deeply disturbing. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
Choose groundcovers that can handle the shade and conditions in your yard, and plant carefully to avoid disturbing the tree’s roots. — Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026 There’s a story there, a complicated and disturbing one, but the new Netflix film Unabomber won’t be the one to give it to us. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 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
  • In Atrahasis, noisy humans become annoying to the gods, so the gods drown them.
    — Eric Vanden Eykel, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There's a lot to love about this Lego Icons Project Hail Mary set, including the lack of annoying stickers.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of annoying
Adjective
  • And this is an indelible stain on the country of Norway, and those people that made such a disgraceful and embarrassing decision.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2026
  • What’s most embarrassing is that Alexis can’t even commit to storming off.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Adjective
  • In lieu of an interview, Gibney created an unsettling digital avatar of Musk that says things the real Musk actually uttered.
    — Sheelah Kolhatkar, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Its aggressively artificial imagery evokes the kind of AI-slop, dreamcore videos that tend to populate social media these days, thrusting the audience into increasingly unsettling spaces that seem generated from a stranger’s hazy childhood.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • Many of the women interviewed still feel uneasy about the experience.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There was some uneasy laughter, and then, what everyone else was too afraid to say came from the only person who could.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Verb
  • There are signs that the President is unravelling, in ways that are different from late-period Joe Biden but are alarming all the same.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Smith brought the schoolbooks to her neighbor’s house, further alarming her neighbor.
    — Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of alarming
Verb
  • But automakers like Tesla, Volkswagen and Volvo have been removing AM radios from some newer models over the past few years, especially electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, since EV motors affect the sound.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Compatible Galaxy phones use Galaxy AI Photo Assist, which includes tools for moving, removing and adding objects in a photo.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of removing
Verb
  • While such attacks are not unprecedented — Iranian strikes hit data centers in Bahrain and the UAE earlier this year — their fallout reaches far beyond the battlefield, disrupting the services civilians and businesses rely on.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • In Belgium, meanwhile, students joined demonstrations alongside striking workers as the country's two largest labour unions staged a national strike on Friday, disrupting public transport, air travel and other sectors.
    — Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of disrupting
Verb
  • For example, companies that benefit from customers not bothering to cancel subscriptions, compare prices, or search for better deals have taken a beating in recent weeks.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
  • If neck pain keeps coming back or the lines bothering you keep getting deeper, talk with a doctor or dermatologist instead of relying on a gadget alone.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 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 13 Oct. 2026.

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