as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
a perturbed look betrayed her nervousness at her first job interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in disturbed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the caller's strange remark perturbed me enough to keep me awake that night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 perturbed
Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The selloff also coincided with a probe into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, which perturbed global investors over the potential of a loss of Fed independence.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Running back Josh Jacobs was just as perturbed.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
When the Tribune printed exclusive details in advance of one of Edgar’s budget messages, Egler called to express how perturbed he and the administration were.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Atoms used to regulate optical clocks are perturbed by infrared radiation emitted by surrounding components, including the metal vacuum chamber holding them.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
All of which is to say that the Knicks, who were quite perturbed by the tumult caused by this latest report, appear fully focused on making a legitimate title run with this group.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
At one point, even Skeet seems perturbed.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
The outlet also reported students were also perturbed by the news.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Dickinson appeared somewhere between perturbed and seething.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
The simulations also show that Chrysalis would have perturbed Iapetus's orbit, leading to its high inclination.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The selloff also coincided with a probe into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, which perturbed global investors over the potential of a loss of Fed independence.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Running back Josh Jacobs was just as perturbed.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
When the Tribune printed exclusive details in advance of one of Edgar’s budget messages, Egler called to express how perturbed he and the administration were.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Atoms used to regulate optical clocks are perturbed by infrared radiation emitted by surrounding components, including the metal vacuum chamber holding them.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
All of which is to say that the Knicks, who were quite perturbed by the tumult caused by this latest report, appear fully focused on making a legitimate title run with this group.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
At one point, even Skeet seems perturbed.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
The outlet also reported students were also perturbed by the news.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perturbed
Adjective
-
While the consequences of skipping routine medical care may not always be immediate, Muthyala said providers are worried about the downstream impact all of this will have on the health of the community.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Some were worried about not competing for championships because of being out of the WPIAL.—
Chilekasi Adele,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a Broward resident, I am deeply disturbed by the systematic failure of our state attorney’s offfice to prosecute the exploitation of our most vulnerable citizens.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Matkom was disturbed by the residents' testimony.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Fedor Zugic scored nine points on a trio of first-half 3-pointers to lead Creighton (14-14, 8-9), unable to build off a big upset Wednesday at UConn.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Residents in Queens are getting upset over the explanation from the city for a massive puddle that just won't go away.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An Indian colleague was alarmed by the praise for colonialism.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The Palantir executive was alarmed by the implication of Anthropic’s inquiry that the company might resist the use of its technology in a US military operation, and reported the conversation back to the Pentagon, a senior Defense Department official said.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Given the snowy conditions and fatigue levels, these are nervous moments for the athletes, with mere seconds separating winning from losing.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Hollywood version The team may have been extra nervous given that the previous high-profile adaptation of The House of the Spirits was a 1993 movie in English starring Hollywood actors like Meryl Streep, Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But in securing gold, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara from Japan didn’t seem to be bothered by any of that.—
Alice Park,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The American government never even bothered to tell their family members.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some anxious Republicans have urged him to show more public displays of empathy.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
And things got as anxious as a guy on a first date with the prettiest girl in school.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the table is so congested that putting any kind of winning run together could make a real difference while the teams above them are distracted by European commitments.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Clearly, that’s to capture those kids still off from school versus the fall, when they’re distracted with myriad school activities.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perturbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturbed. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
