1
as in annoying
causing annoyance
a disturbing visit by the next-door neighbor while I was trying to study
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
In the disturbing footage, Raja was seen entering the ring and picking up Smith above his head before slamming him hard on the mat.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025
At trial, testimony by employees suggested a pattern of disturbing behavior.
—Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Adjective
Its characters also express racist, sexist, homophobic, and just plain disturbing sentiments.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
In the disturbing footage, Raja was seen entering the ring and picking up Smith above his head before slamming him hard on the mat.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Families devastated as disturbing details emerge about shooter 2.
—FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025
At trial, testimony by employees suggested a pattern of disturbing behavior.
—Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbing
Adjective
-
For those with allergies, these particles can be inhaled and trigger annoying symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, or itchy eyes.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Nadaly Cordless Vacuum Run the lightweight vacuum over hard floors and carpets to suck up dirt, dust, crumbs, and other debris — without an annoying cord to trail.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Dolphins, desperate to get their season on track after an embarrassing 33-8 loss to Indianapolis, are not trying to trade receiver Tyreek Hill, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this week.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Adding insult to injury, Eric and his friend Brian (Cameron Mann) film the incident and plan to post the embarrassing video on social media.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In turn, chickens have become a powerful — if not somewhat unsettling — example of how acutely humans can dictate the evolutionary destiny of other species.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Having previously allowed Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle and Mary Earps to run their contracts into the final stages — a situation the club say was unsettling for the squad — United were determined not to make the same error.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Handing spending power to a piece of software makes people uneasy.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
An uneasy calm, after two nights of chaos that saw tens of thousands of people pour out into the streets to vent their fury, setting fire to parliament and the Supreme Court – key symbols of state – and clashing with the government forces sent to keep them under control.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The group routinely calls for removing books at public schools and played a role in Scottsdale Unified School District's decision to pull 16 books from its library shelves in February.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Tips To Keep Your Towels Mascara-Free The best way to keep makeup from staining towels is by thoroughly removing the makeup first.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Analysts, however, worry if the licenses will be approved fast enough to avoid disrupting operations abroad.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
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Soft-spoken and unrelenting, Alboury emerges as the only moral voice in a land of postcolonial abandon, refusing to let Cal get away with what may be homicide, while disrupting Horn’s romantic first night with Leonie.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lead with Gratitude and Grace Calling out someone for bothering you is always tricky.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
-
That appeared to be a distraction at times to Anisimova, who motioned to her team in the stands that something was bothering her during ball tosses for serves.—
Howard Fendrich,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbing. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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